GEO.H.TAYLOR.M.D. 


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PARALYSIS, 

AND  OTHEIl 

AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  NERVES 


THEIR  CURE  BY 


TRANSMITTED  ENERGY 

AND 


SPECIAL  MOVEMENTS. 


By  geo.  H.  TAYLOR,  M.D., 

AUTHOR  OF  “health  FOR  WOMEN,”  “HEALTH  BY  EXERCISE,”  ETC. 


NEW  YORK; 

JOHN  B.  ALDEN,  PUBLISHER, 
1885. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1880, 
Bt  geo.  H.  TAYLOR,  M.D., 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  in  Washington. 


TROW'S 

PRINTING  AND  BOOKBINDING  COMPANY, 
NEW  YORK. 


REMOTE  STORAGE 

(PfBEFA  OE. 


Diseases  causing  aberration  and  restriction  of 
nervous  power  are  apparently  increasing  in  number 
and  severity^  while  recoveries  are  not  proportionally 
increasing.  The  inference  is  either  that  the  effects  of 
ordinary  remedies  are  too  transient  that  the  capacity 
of  the  system  to  respond  to  remedial  impressions  is 
too  limited^  that  the  most  efficacious  remedies  are  still 
waiting  to  be  used,  or  that  these  causes  combine  to 
furnish  obstacles  to  restoration. 

The  vital  powers  ofien  suffer  fatal  exhaustion  from 
misdirected  and  Ojboriive  efforts  for  recovery.  The 
aim  of  treatment  should  be,  not  to  produce  h high 
degree  of  nerve  stimulation,  ending  in  wasted  nervous 
energy^  but  to  secure  direct  and  permanent  restorative 
effects,  without  cost  to  vitality. 

In  pursuing  investigations  to  this  end  I have  thor- 
oughly tested  and  demonstrated  the  remarJcdble  cura- 
tive power  of  a hitherto  neglected  agency — Trans- 
mitted Energy,  or  Force.  I have  aimed  in  this  little 


IV 


PREFACE. 


work  to  exhibit  the  fundamental  and  searching  nature 
of  this  agency  and  its  positive  merits  as  a curative 
means. 

1 have  not  desired  to  make  an  exhaustive  treatise  on 
the  nervous  system  more  curious  than  useful  to  the 
anxious  invalid ; but  to  commend  to  his  intelligence  a 
thoroughly  practical  as  well  as  philosophical  method  ^ 
f recovering  his  waning  or  lost  powers, 

GEO,  H,  TATLOB. 

No.  17  West  58th  Street^  New  York. 


CONTENTS 


Page 


Introductory. 

Pathology  of  Neryous  Diseases 

How  Treatment  becomes  Remedial 

Office  of  Motion 

Absence  of  Power  of  Motion — Paralysis 

Force  and  Motion — Mechanical  and  Vital 

How  Exterior  Force  affects  Interior  Bodily  Organs 

Necessity  for  Apparatus 

Vibratory  Motion 

"Description  of  Apparatus 

Effects  of  Vibratory  Motion  on  Bobily  Temperature 

Increase  of  Oxidation 

Elimination  Increased  by  Vibration 

Removal  of  Congestion  

Interchange  of  Fluids — Absorption 

Revulsive  Effect  of  Vibration 

Congestion  the  Primary  Condition  in  Nervous 

Diseases 

Evolution  of  Force  Increased  by  Vibration  ...... 

Exterior  Force  Auxiliary  to  its  Interior  Devel- 
opment  

Electricity  a Product  of  Vibratory  IMotion 

Confirmations  of  Principles  Derived  from  Nature 

Active  and  Semi- Active  Movements 

Parai-ysis  and  Neuralgia  Due  to  a Variety  of 

Diseased  Conditions 

Inflammations,  Abscesses,  Tumors 

Compression  of  Spinal  Cord  and  Brain 

Degeneration  of  Central  Nerve 

How  Paralysis  Occurs,  and  How  Removed  


5 

6 
9 

12 

15 

17 

20 

26 

27 

28 
33 
37 
39 
43 
45 
48 

54 


59 

62 

63 

67 

70 

72 

72 

72 

75 


IV 


CaNTENTS. 


Page 

Connection  of  Yibra.tory  and  Other  Movements 

WITH  Restoration  of  Nervous  Power 76 

Application  of  Principles — Cerebral  Congestion.  . 80 

Sciatica 84 

Paralysis 87 

Paraplegia,  Caused  by  Mental  Work 93 

General  Paralysis 97" 

Hemiplegia 100 

Progressive  Paralysis 103 

Facial  Paralysis 114 

Neuralgia 115 

Supersensitiveness  of  Spine 122 

^ Infantile  Paralysis 126 

Removal  of  Deformities  without  Operations 131 

Contracted  Limbs — Improvement  after  Failure  of 

Instruments 139 

Disabilities  Caused  by  Rheumatic  Affections 144 

Development  and  Transformation  of  Energy 156 

What  Transmitted  Motion  is 158 

What  Becomes  of  Motion  Imparted  to  the  Body..  160 

Displacement 162 

Friction— Heat— Chemical  Change 164 

How  Muscular  and  Nervous  Power  are  Normally 

Supported 169 

Counterpoise  of  Muscles  and  Nerves 172 

How  Nerve-Centers  become  Diseased 173 

Evidences  of  the  Truth  of  the  Foregoing  State- 
ments.,  176 


PARALYSIS,  ETC. 


INTBOBUCTORT. 

Though  paralysis  and  otlier  results  of  dis- 
eased nerves,  whether  characterized  by  defi- 
ciency or  irregularity  of  power,  are  affections 
of  common  occurrence,  yet  their  treatment  by 
methods  currently  employed  is  far  from  satis- 
factory. The  most  astute  medical  ihinds  have 
employed  their  talents  in  investigating  the  pa- 
thology of  this  class  of  diseases,  and  many  in- 
teresting and  curious  facts  have  been  devel- 
oped. But  no  remedial  methods  of  acknowl- 
edged reliability  have  been  brought  into  use  to 
ameliorate  the  suffering  of  the  neuralgic  and 
nervous  ; while  to  temporize  with  the  paralytic 
generally  fills  the  measure  of  the  physician’s 
expectation.  Radical  cures  are  comparatively 
infrequent  and  hardly  expected. 

It  therefore  becomes  a duty  to  investigate 
rational  methods  of  remedial  treatment  for  dis- 
eases so  intractable,  and  which  involve  more 


6 


PURPOSE  OF  THIS  TREATISE. 


than  any  other  the  noblest  part  of  our  nature. 
Principles  perfectly  intelligible  to  the  common 
understanding,  of  easily  demonstrated  practical 
value,  should  be  extensively  known,  in  order 
that  their  availability  may  be  commensurate 
with  their  merits. 

Our  purpose  is : 

To  show  the  uses  and  importance  of  motion  in 
the  living  body,  as  contributing  to  its  evolution 
of  power ; 

To  explain  the  methods  and  rationale  of  the 
direct  application  of  energy  or  force,  as  in  va- 
ried forms  of  moratory  motion  for  curative 
purposes ; 

To  point  out  the  uses  and  limitations  of  other 
exercises  in  diseases  of  the  nervous  system  ; 

To  represent  the  success  of  the  remedial 
method  based  on  the  direct  use  of  mechanical 
energy  in  cases  of  paralysis  and  other  forms 
of  disease  of  the  nerves,  that  have  been  pro- 
longed and  proved  intractable  to  other  means. 


PATHOLOQT  OF  NERYOUS  DISEASES. 

Disease  of  the  nerves  differs  from  that  of 
other  portions  of  the  body  in  certain  particu- 


PATHOLOGY  OF  NERVOUS  DISEASES. 


7 


lars,  rendering  its  investigation  more  difficult, 
and  remedial  indications  more  obscure.  The 
seat  of  such  disease  is  generally  understood  to 
be  in  the  nerve- centers  of  the  brain  and  spinal 
cord,  organs  which  are  situated  beneath  and 
protected  by  bony  coverings,  and  therefore  re- 
moved from  direct  observation.  The  symptoms 
of  nervous  affections  are  manifested  in  aberra- 
tion of  sensation  and  restriction  of  power  at 
points  often  quite  remote  from  the  diseased  cen- 
ters. Our  conclusions  regarding  the  nature  and 
extent  of  the  disease  are  necessarily  founded  on 
rational  considerations  in  connection  with  light 
derived  from  experience. 

The  case  is  quite  different  with  affections  of 
other  portions  of  the  body.  We  can  see  the 
changed  color,  and  the  increased  size  of  the 
affected  part ; we  know  that  the  acute  anguish 
actually  pertains  to  the  part  to  which  it  is 
referred,  and  to  no  other ; we  can  determine, 
by  direct  observation,  the  physical  changes  that 
are  transpiring,  and  the  curative  indications 
are  plain  and  direct,  even  though  differently 
constituted  minds  may  judge  differentl3r  in  re- 
gard to  therapeutic  measures. 

In  making  the  following  statements  and  con- 


MEDICAL  LITERATURE. 


elusions,  I am  not  unmindful  of  the  fullness  of 
modern  medical  literature  on  the  pathology  of 
the  nervous  system,  especially  that  portion 
relating  to  post-mortem  appearances.  These 
inquiries,  however,  are  not  valuable  for  ther- 
apeutic suggestions,  since  they  can  never  be 
made  until  after  the  last  act  of  the  diseased 
process  is  concluded ; they  exhibit  the  effects 
of  morbid  processes,  but  show  nothing  of  the 
condition  of  the  nerves  while  these  processes 
are  transpiring  ; they  disclose  certain  materials 
of  disease  which  might  have  served  equally  as 
materials  of  health,  but  cast  scarcely  a glimmer 
of  light  upon  the  morbid  action,  and  afford 
but  the  faintest  intimation,  if  any,  as  to  means 
appropriate  to  correct  the  diseased  process  and 
remove  its  effects. 

The  physician  is  still  guided  by  his  own  and 
by  recorded  experience  in  the  selection  of  cura- 
tive means.  But  it  is  all  important  that  this 
experience  should  be  directed  in  accordance 
with  the  laws  of  normal  action  of  the  constitu- 
ents of  the  body,  and  not  by  what  he  guesses 
has  taken  place  in  developing  diseased  prod- 
ucts, or  may  take  place  through  the  effect  of 
drugs.  He  sees  pathological  action,  and  rightly 


HOW  TREATMENT  BECOMES  REMEDIAL.  9 


infers  patliological  products  ; — liis  direct  object 
should  be  to  introduce  physiological  action  as 
the  surest  and  only  means  of  abating  patholog- 
ical processes. 

The  purpose  of  the  present  writing  is  there- 
fore limited  to  the  introduction  of  the  reader 
(who,  it  is  expected,  is  also  an  interested  in- 
quirer) to  methods  of  cure  at  once  practical  and 
philosophical,  avoiding  the  discussion  of  dis- 
puted and  equivocal  points  of  pathology.  This 
topic  will  be  referred  to  only  so  far  as  is  neces- 
sary to  gain  an  intelligible  understanding  of 
the  curative  principles  and  means  which  may 
be  brought  to  notice. 


HOW  TREATMENT  BECOMES  REMEDIAL. 

Let  us  now  briefly  inquire  into  the  way 
treatment  is  expected  or  designed  to  remedy 
nervous  disease.  Since  all  such  disease  is 
manifested  as  altered,  restricted,  or  excited 
action  of  portions  of  the  nervous  system,  it 
follows  that  remedies  must  consist  of  means 
appropriate  to  increase,  or  repress  and  regulate 
action  of  nerve-centres  which  originate  nervous 
power,  whether  the  nervous  function  be  that  of 
sensation  or  motion. 


10 


PURPOSE  OP  REMEDIES, 


Ordinary  remedies  are  not  introduced  into 
the  system  on  account  of  any  supposed  adapt- 
edness to  form  an  integral  part  of  the  vital 
instrument,  from  which  proceeds  vital  energy  ; 
if  that  were  their  purpose,  they  would  consti- 
tute food,  and  not  medicine.  Their  purpose  is 
rather  to  influence  nutritive  changes  in  the 
nerve-centers,  and  thereby  alter  the  quality  of 
vital  action.  They  can  only  influence  the 
motions  of  the  incipient  vital  organs,  and  the 
disposal,  that  is,  direct  the  motions,  of  sub- 
stance which  has  yielded  its  vitality  and  be- 
come effete.  In  any  case,  whether  we  regard 
the  effects  of  the  drug  as  dynamic,  chemical, 
or  any  other  order  of  action,  it  is  clear  that  the 
therapeutic  effects  are  quite  dependent  on  theit 
control  of  the  motions  of  the  nutritive  elements, 
while  the  drug  itself  passes  on  with  other  re- 
jected material,  and  soon  finds  exit  from  the 
system. 

The  most  generally  accepted  and  modern 
views  of  the  first  principles  of  pathology  of  the 
nervous  system  may  be  stated  as  follows  : 

Nervous  diseases  of  all  varieties  depend  on 
obstacles  to  healthful  nutrition  of  the  brain  and 
spinal  cord,  (cerebro-spinal  axis).  This  defect 


HOW  TREATMENT  BECOMES  REMEDIAL.  11 


may  also  include  the  central  or  organic  nerves. 
Nutritive  aberration  may  take  either  of  the  fol- 
lowing preliminary  forms  (probably  more  than 
one  of  these  conditions  coexist) : 

'"The  nerve-centres  may  contain  too  much 
blood — hypersemia  ; _ 

They  may  contain  too  little  blood — ansemia  ; 

The  nutrition  of  the  cerebro-spinal  axis  may 
suffer  such  change  (preceded  by  hypersemia)  as 
to  allow  of  morbid  deposits  or  degeneration. 

The  corresponding  purposes  of  remedial  treat- 
ment are  therefore : 

Te  relieve  nerve-centres  of  superfluous  blood 
by  removing  it  to  other  parts,  which  in  this 
case  are  suffering  from  deflciency  ; 

To  convey  to  these  centers  the  nutrition  for 
which  they  have  suffered,  a result  and  reaction 
from  the  previous  condition  ; 

To  perfect  the  transformation  of  non-vital 
nutrient  matter  to  organized  structure  capable 
of  evolving  force 'which  assumes  the  forms  of 
sensorial  and  dynamic  power ; 

To  secure  absorption  of  the  abnormal  matters 
which  may  invade  the  power-evolving  tissue, 
and  retard  or  prevent  its  power-evolving  func- 
tion. The  possession  by  these  matters  of  a low 


12 


PROCESS  OF  CURE. 


form  of  organization,  though  a serious  impedi- 
ment, is  not  an  effectual  harrier  to  their  removal. 


OFFICE  OF  MOTION. 

It  will  he  observed  that  each  and  all  of  the 
purposes  above  indicated  imply  motion.  Yi- 
tality  is  the  manifestation  of  force  or  action  by 
organized  substance ; pathology  and  disease  im- 
ply wrong  action,  and  consequently  defective 
motion  of  constituent  parts  of  the  organized 
structure ; while  therapeutics  consists  in  the 
correction  and  restoration  of  these  motions  to 
the  normal  standard,  prescribed  by  the  organ- 
ized structure  itself. 

In  health,  these  various  series  of  interior 
motions  are  maintained  by  the  activities  in- 
duced in  the  ordinary  duties  of  life  ; for  the 
living  being,  as  has  been  intimated,  furnishes 
the  arena  for  incessant  atomic  and  molecular 
activity  of  various  kinds  and  orders.  Change 
of  place  of  fluids,  of  cells,  of  organized  and 
semi-organized  substance ; gliding  of  mem- 
branes, fibres,  and  various  other  anatomical 
parts,  are  constantly  going  forward.  These 
actions  must  have  support.  Doubtless  there 


OFFICE  OF  MOTION. 


13 


are  influences  at  work  to  maintain  these  activi- 
, ties  that  we  do -.not  understand,  but  there  are 
others  which  we  do.  Let  volitional  activity 
cease,  and  the  system  soon  stagnates ; it  im- 
perfectly vegetates,  affording  but  a minimum 
of  power  available  for  the  ends  of  existence. 
It  is  the  activities  of  life,  having  their  origin 
in  the  purposes  of  the  will  directed  to  securing 
real  or  fancied  good,  which  maintain  bodily 
health. 

The  purposes  of  life  are  constantly  varied, 
giving  rise  to  varied  interior  actions,  extending 
to  all  the  innermost  as  well  as  remote  parts 
of  the  system.  These  varieties  of  action  are 
essential  to  the  equipoise  of  the  system,  upon 
which  health  intimately  depends.  The  great 
danger  to  health,  which  civilized  life  has  to 
encounter,  is  lack  of  variety  in  these  voluntary 
motions.  Persons  pursuing  mental  occupa- 
tions or  monotonous  employments  are  liable  to 
engender  comparatively  too  much  motion  in  a 
restricted  portion  of  the  system,  while  other 
portions  of  equal,  perhaps  of  greater  import- 
ance to  its  physical  welfare,  are  compelled  to 
suffer  from  the  need  of  motion.  Unbalanced 
interior  nutritive  activity  is  the  direct  result ; 


14 


COMMON  SENSE. 


soon  thereupon  occur  fixed  morbid  products ; 
these  are  the  evidences  and  effects  of  disease 
rather  than  disease  itself. 

In  our  endeavors  to  overcome  diseases  origin- 
ating in  imperfect  action,  were  we  to  be  guided 
by  common  sense  and  reason,  rather  than  by 
precedent,  we  should  scarcely  be  at  a loss  for 
means  to  accomplish  this  purpose.  The  very 
evident  need  is,  to  afford  more  vigorous  nutri- 
five  action — that  is,  motion  of  the  elements  par- 
ticipating in  vital  acts  from  which  are  evolved 
the  different  forms  of  vital  power.  This  should 
give  rise  to  healthy  products,  whether  these  be 
muscular  tissue,  nerve  substance,  or  the  force 
of  which  these  are  the  instruments.  It  is, 
moreover,  plain  that  if  healthful  vigor  be  ener- 
getically maintained  in  organized  parts,  not 
only  will  factitious  and  diseased  products  be 
superseded  by  healthy,  but  those  previously 
existing,  which  are  the  result  of  preceding  im- 
perfect vital  action,  will  be  displaced. 

The  feasibility  of  removing  disease  by  motion 
is  but  the  corollary  of  the  fact  that  health  is 
thus  maintained.  A less  degree  of  motion  of 
elements  than  obtains  in  health,  is  preliminary 
to,  if  it  does  not  constitute  disease.  It  is  only 


ABSENCE  OF  POWER  OF  MOTION. 


16 


needful  that  the  energy  of  motion  which  health 
gives  he  afforded  to  the  chronic  invalid. 


ABSENCE  OF  POWER  OF  MOTION— PARALYSIS. 

But  in  paralysis,  and  indeed,  in  other  forms 
of  disease  of  nerves,  the  interior  nutritive  mo- 
tions so  indispensable  to  the  generation  of 
power  are  not  maintained.  The  ability  to  sus- 
tain the  conditions  for  making  power  is  absent. 
This  fact  is  the  principal  evidence,  and  in  the 
beginning  may  be,  and  probably  is,  the  essence 
of  the  disease  of  central  nerves.  The  will  either 
may  not  act,  or  its  mandates  do  not  reach  the 
muscles  whose  action  is  desired.  The  purposes 
of  the  will  in  the  organism  fall  short  of  their 
aim.  The  capacity  for  the  evolution  of  nerve- 
force  by  spontaneous  action  of  nerve-centers  is, 
as  regards  the  function  of  some  portion  of  the 
nervous  system,  partly  or  wholly  suspended. 
The  health  of  this  function  is  not  maintained, 
and  cannot  easily  or  often  be  I’egained  through 
power  originating  within. 

Ordinary  medical  practice,  recognizing  the 
fact»  stated,  endeavors  to  overcome  the  inertia 
of  nerve-centers  and  conductors  by  exciting 


16 


OEDINAEY  PEACTICE. 


through  specific  irritants  the  power-producing 
function — compelling  the  weakened  and  dis- 
abled centers  to  evolve  more  power.  It  is  in- 
clined to  place  a burden  on  the  weakest  part. 
The  result  is  everywhere  seen.  Only  in  cases 
having  excellent  original  capacity,  where  dis- 
ease has  made  no,  or  but  slight,  progress,  is  the 
endeavor  successful.  There  is,  in  fact,  much  to 
fear  from  treatment  dictated  by  this  principle 
of  stimulation  and  forcing,  whatever  may  be  its 
distinctive  methods.  The  compulsory  and  in- 
effectual endeavor  of  weak  parts  to  act  in  re- 
sponse to  extraordinary  stimulation  is  liable  to 
make  undue  drafts  upon  the  capacity  to  act, 
ending  in  exhaustion  of  the  little  remaining 
power  instead  of  its  reinforcement.  Cases  pre- 
viously curable  by  direct  and  appropriate 
means  are  thus  placed  forever  beyond  the  reach 
of  remedies.  Rare  cases  possessing  an  excep- 
tional abundance  of  vitality  may  respond  to 
efforts  of  this  kind  ; but  these  are  few,  and  the 
large  majority  do  not  and  cannot  thus  respond. 

Treatment  based  upon  the  principles  now 
presented  pursues  the  opposite  course.  It  hus- 
bands the  weakened  capacity ; it  economizes 
the  expenditure,  so  as  to  correspond  with  the 


ABSENCE  OE  POWER  OF  MOTION. 


17 


generation  of  vital  power ; it  refrains  from 
tasking  the  disabled  physiological  instruments 
previous  to  the  reparative  action  ; it  tries  to 
preserve  those  delicate  elements  which  consti- 
tute the  source  of  power,  from  the  destruction 
that  is  imminent ; it  affords  the  motion  re- 
quired for  nutrition  and  repair,  but  makes  no 
demand  on  the  will ; it  elicits  the  evolution  of 
that  power  peculiar  to  each  function,  and  re- 
serves that  usually  yielded  by  effort ; and  it 
supplies  those  conditions  which  are  essential 
to  further  development. 


FORCE  AND  MOTION,  MECHANICAL  AND  VITAL. 

The  foregoing  statements  are  merely  those  of 
physiology.  They  are  so  nearly  self-evident  as 
to  receive  a ready  assent.  But  the  special  prop- 
osition I desire  to  elucidate  is  that  motion.,  pro- 
ceeding from  an  external  source,  is  competent 
to  impart  the  degree  and  kind  of  motion  req- 
uisite for  the  functions  of  physiology  in  the 
evolution  of  corporeal  power;  that  such  mo- 
tion becomes  a direct  auxiliary  to  normal  in- 
ternal processes. 

A little  reflection  will  show  the  extreme 


18 


EFFECTS  OF  EXTERIOR  MOTION. 


probability  of  this  proposition  ; for  the  process 
referred  to  does  not  essentially  differ  from  that 
which  ordinarily  obtains  in  the  system.  bTo 
new  element  is  introduced  to  cause  derange- 
ment. Furthermore,  the  force  which  the  sys- 
tem in  health  is  capable  of  evolving  is  refer- 
able to  an  ultimate  exterior  source,  and  does 
not  absolutely  originate  within.  The  organism 
is  an  instrument,  rather  than  a generator,  of 
power.  The  nutritive  and  organizing  processes 
are  merely  the  means  whereby  force  introduced 
with  food,  and  involved  in  the  constitution  of 
food,  is  liberated.  That  is  now  manifested,  in 
forms  called  vital,  which  before  had  some  other 
mode  of  existence.  But  the  nutritive  and  or- 
ganizing processes  can  not  proceed,  and  the 
force  associated  with  food  and  air  can  never 
be  so  liberated  in  the  absence  of  one  essential 
condition.  This  condition  is  the  motion  both 
of  minute  masses  and  of  separate  atoms,  which 
constitute  interior  physiological  processes. 
This  motion,  which  in  health  is  abundantly 
supplied  by  the  organism,  is  not  necessarily 
confined  to  that  source  of  supply.  In  default 
of  that  source,  it  may  be  contributed  from  ex- 
terior sources. 


FORCE  AND  MOTION,  MECHANICAL  AND  VITAL.  19 


The  universe  is  replete  with  force  ready  and 
waiting  to  do  human  bidding  and  confer  human 
benefits.  Examples  of  the  application  of  ordi- 
nary force  or  motion  are  seen  in  the  marvels 
of  mechanics.  Heat  is  the  essential  condition 
of  the  existence  of  the  arts  of  civilization  as 
Avell  as  the  comforts  of  life.  Electricity  in 
modern  times  has  rivaled  heat  and  motion  in 
the  interest  with  which  it  engages  attention, 
while  the  wonders  wrought  by  sunlight,  as  ex- 
hibited both  in  nature  and  in  art,  transcend  all 
these  in  vastness  of  effects.  Science  has  proved 
that  these,  and  perhaps  others,  are  but  differ- 
ent forms — correlations — of  force  rather  than 
different  forces,  by  causing  their  transfor- 
mation and  mutual  replacement  of  each 
other.  Of  these,  heat  and  electricity  are  in 
almost  universal  use  as  remedial  agents.  It 
therefore  appears  not  only  that  the  body  is  an 
agent  for  generating  force  within  itself — the 
force  which  is  manifested  in  the  powers  exhib- 
ited by  vitality — but  it  may  also  be  shown  to 
be  receptive  of  force  derived  from  exterior 
sources,  and  that  the  application  of  force  is 
capable  of  working  changes,  and,  if  properly 


20 


RELATED  FORMS  OP  FORCE. 


employed,  great  benefits  to  its  interior  condi- 
tion and  health. 


HOW  EXTERIOR  FORCE  AFFECTS  INTERIOR 
BODILY  ORGANS. 

The  effects  of  actions  communicated  from 
without,  all  are  familiar  with,  at  least  in  some 
degree.  For  every  one  is  aware  of  the  pecu- 
liarly grateful  sensations  the  invalid  experi- 
ences when  the  surface  of  the  body  is  gently 
ruhhed  by  the  hand  of  an  attendant ; in  fact, 
this  act  is  really  not  the  least  important  duty 
of  the  nurse.  It  is  often  found  that  a great  deal 
of  energetic  friction  is  of  excellent  service,  and 
such  advantages  are  insisted  on  by  the  medical 
adviser  in  a great  variety  of  ailments,  differing 
radically  in  their  external  manifestations  or 
symptoms.  Indeed,  this  very  thing  has  been 
a common  remedial  recourse  in  all  ages  and 
among  all  nations. 

Suppose  the  attendant  varies  the  operation 
and,  instead  of  a rubbing  motion,  imparts  very 
light,  rapid  strokes,  directed  perpendicularly 
upon  some  portion  of  the  body.  The  force  of 
the  action  is  expended  chiefl}^  beneath  the 


EXTEUIOR  FORCE  AFFECTS  INTERIOR  ORGANS.  21 


surface  in  this  case,  and  another  class  of  grate- 
ful sensations  is  evoked,  especially  if  the  part 
were  previously  snlfering  from  pain.  Effects 
similar  to  these  might  he  multiplied,  affecting 
various  and  differently  related  portions  of  the 
organism,  according  to  the  direction,  degree, 
and  rapidity  of  the  impulse.  It  is  evident 
that  this  would  afford,  through  the  feelings,  a 
vague  clue  to  possible  important  benefits. 

A little  consideration  will  show  that  the  idea 
of  therapeutic  advantages  through  the  channel 
here  indicated  is  not  so  far-fetched  or  illusory 
as  might  at  first  be  supposed.  We  may  at 
least  comprehend  some  of  the  processes  where- 
by such  efforts  come. 

The  motion  and  pressure  of  the  hand  may 
be  regarded  as  expressing  force  in  pounds 
and  ounces.  This  force  is  the  collected  energy 
of  organized  substance  from  minutest  parts. 
Its  origin,  so  far  as  we  can  trace,  is  in  the  ulti- 
mate physiological  and  chemical  activities  of 
certain  elements  of  the  body.  The  anatomical 
hand,  being  the  medium  or  channel  for  the  ex- 
pression of  the  aggregate  power  of  an  infinitude 
of  distinct  molecular  elements  and  chemical 
substances,  is  applied  to  oppose  and  overcome 


22  EFFECTS  PRODUCED  BY  THE  HAND. 

the  resistance  of  external  and  wholly  discon- 
nected objects.  The  internal  forces  are  trans- 
formed to  external  power. 

When,  now,  this  force  is  applied  to  a solid 
body,  it  overcomes  the  inertia  of  the  body  en 
masse.  The  integral  portions  do  not  change 
their  mntnal  relationship. 

But  if  the  same  force  be  applied  to  another 
living  being,  which  is  constituted  of  soft  or 
movable  parts,  it  is  evident  that  the  force  thus 
employed  overcomes,  not  the  inertia  of  the 
whole,  but  that  of  its  minutest  and  invisible 
parts ; is,  in  fact,  distributed  among  these 
primary  elements  and  causes  of  animal  power. 

But  motion  of  the  incipiently  vital  elements 
is  necessary  in  order  that  they  may  fulfill  their 
destiny ; that  the  becoming  muscle  and  nerve 
may  really  become  those  instruments  of  power ; 
that  primary  organization  may  occur.  Each 
and  every  atom  thus  destined  is  by  motion 
urged  onward  in  its  career  to  the  consumma- 
tion of  its  organic  purpose. 

Without  such  motion,  organizing  elements 
could  never  be  brought  into  due  place,  but 
must  remain  unendowed  with  vital  privileges. 
Chemical  changes,  too,  so  necessary  in  the  re- 


EXTEEIOB  FORCE  AFFECTS  INTERIOR  ORGAKS.  23 


arrangement  of  molecules  that  they  may  con- 
form to  the  uses  of  vitality,  and  quite  as  im- 
portant to  effect  their  destruction  and  dismissal 
from  service,  can  never  take  place  unless  the 
materials  concerned  are  moved  into  contact, 
and  within  the  sphere  of  new  chemical  influ- 
ences. 

It  hence  appears  that,  when  force  exterior  to 
the  living  body  is  expended  upon  such  body, 
it  is  not  lost,  but  is  distributed  among  the 
minutest  elements,  where  it  becomes  directly 
serviceable  to  vital  needs.  Though  not  trans- 
formed to  vital  force,  it  supplies  the  very  con- 
ditions in  which  tliis  force  originates,  and  thus 
becomes  a direct  aid  to  its  manifestations. 
This  fact  is  especially  apparent  in  cases  where 
vital  duties  are  poorly  performed,  and  where 
vital  powder  is  evidently  defective,  as  is  the  case 
in  most  forms  of  chronic  disease. 

The  principles  now  brought  into  prominence 
are  net  of  limited  scope  and  application.  They 
form  a part  of  the  domain  of  philosophy  and 
universal  science,  and  do  not  belong  especially 
to  physiology  and  therapeutics.  It  may,  there- 
fore, serve  to  increase  the  reader’s  interest  in 
the  special  application  cf  these  principles,  to 


24 


UNIVERSAL  PRINCIPLES. 


state  tliem  in  more  general  and  comprehensive 
terms. 

If  a moving  body  come  in  contact  with  one 
at  rest,  its  motion  is  arrested  ; but  the  force  by 
which  it  is  projected  is  not  obliterated ; it  is 
not  even  diminished.  A great  variety  of  exper- 
iments has  demonstrated  that  no  portion  of 
such  force  is  lost ; it  is  only  caused  to  assume 
new  forms.  At  the  moment  of  impact  the 
moving  force  is  transformed  to  its  equivalent 
of  lieat^  electrical  disturhance,  in  some  cases 
light,  and  perhaps  other  forms  of  force.  The 
arts  supply  abundant  illustrations  of  this  prin- 
ciple ; their  pursuit  consists  in  its  practical 
application,  wherein  our  wants  are  subserved. 
Scrutiny  of  various  conditions  under  which 
these  transformations  appear,  demonstrates  the 
uniformity  of  this  law  of  nature. 

It  is  apparent  that  if  the  body  receiving  the 
force  were  composed  of  particles  destitute  of 
cohesion,  that  is,  fluid,  the  law  would  hold 
equally  good,  but  the  result  would  be  distrib- 
uted among  the  separate  atoms.  The  friction 
of  the  moving  atoms  of  liquids,  it  was  shown 
by  Rumford,  produced  a large  amount  of  heat, 
and  both  Meyer  and  Joule  demonstrated  the 


EXTERIOR  FORCE  AFFECTS  INTERIOR  ORGANS.  25 


uniformity  of  the  transformation  of  motion  to 
heat,  as  well  as  their  units  of  equivalence. 

If  the  particles  of  the  fluid  he  of  complex 
composition  instead  of  being  uniform,  the  di- 
verse nature  of  the  chemical  elements  is  favor- 
able to  the  transformation  of  such  impinging 
force  to  its  chemical  equivalent.  Chemical  ac- 
tion will  be  determined  among  these  matters  of 
diverse  constitution,  and  new  products  will  be 
formed.  The  kind  of  product  will,  of  course, 
depend  on  the  nature  of  the  elements  thus  en- 
gaged. The  energy  of  motion  now  results  in 
new  arrangements  of  elemental  matter.  The 
test  tube  of  the  chemist  affords  an  infinite 
variety  of  illustrations  of  this  principle. 

The  human  body  evidently  embodies  all  the 
conditions  above  presented,  and  is  a constant 
illustration  of  the  principle.  In  health  and  in 
disease  it  presents  a broad  arena  for  the  com- 
bat of  atoms,  with  varying  results,  depending 
on  the  extent  of  the  control  of  outside  influ- 
ences. It  is  hence  amenable  in  a wonderful 
degree  to  the  wholesome  control  of  pure  force 
supplied  from  without. 


26 


HAND  POWER  NOT  SUFFICIENT. 


NECESSITY  OF  APPARATUS. 

Practicallt,  it  is  quite  impossible  to  carry 
forward  experiments  like  the  above  to  satisfac- 
tory results.  The  effects  are  produced  in  too 
limited  a degree  to  be  conspicuous.  Besides, 
these  effects  are  exactly  in  the  direction  of 
physiology,  and  are  inevitably  merged  with 
the  ordinary  and  unnoticed  interior  acts,  as 
they  should  be.  Pathological  facts  arrest  our 
attention  in  proportion  to  their  gravity  ; physi- 
ological facts  are  unnoticed  in  proportion  to 
their  perfection. 

No  really  curative  plan,  or  reliance  based  on 
effects  producible  by  the  hand  of  an  operator, 
has  ever  been  established,  because  the  power 
of  the  operator  fails  too  soon.  Indeed,  more 
abundant  power  than  the  hand  can  afford  was 
necessary  to  demonstrate  a principle  of  action. 
Without  further  recourse,  curative  effects  from 
this  source  must  ever  prove  fragmentary  and 
unreliable. 

It  hence  became  necessary  to  contrive  ap- 
paratus dependent  for  its  work  upon  a more 
prolific  source  of  power  than  the  hand  of  an 
operator  can  supply  ; and  in  the  course  of  ex- 


NECESSITY  OF  APPARATUS. 


27 


periment  it  was  fully  proved  that  more  power 
is  usually  required  to  maintain  the  interior 
molecular  and  chemical  motions  which  sustain 
physiological  actions,  than  is  generated  in  the 
system  of  another  person.  This  conclusion 
will  not  appear  incredible  when  we  reflect  that 
many  persons,  including  most  invalids,  evolve 
little  or  no  surplus  force  for  expenditure  on 
exterior  objects,  it  all  being  employed  to 
maintain  the  even,  sluggish,  physiological 
processes. 

It  becomes  evident,  not  only  that  apparatus 
must  be  employed,  but  also  that  this  apparatus 
must  be  capable  of  infinite  degrees  as  well  as 
various  kinds  of  action.  It  should  be  prompt 
in  obedience  to  the  will  of  the  operator  as  well 
as  to  the  feelings  of  the  patient. 

Force  supplied  to  the  living  body  must  be 
in  the  form  of  Vibratory  Motion.  In  this  way 
waves  of  force  are  made  to  pervade  the  system, 
as  light  does  a transparent  body.  Supplied  in 
any  other  form  it  would  affect  the  mass  rather 
than  the  constituent  elements  of  which  the 
mass  is  composed.  Were  the  mass  moved, 
the  relations  of  the  component  parts  would 
remain  undisturbed.  This  corresponds,  also. 


28 


WAVES  OP  MOTION. 


with  the  methods  of  force  in  other  potential 
and  acting  forms.  Heat,  light,  and  perhaps 
electricity,  affect  bodies  to  which  they  are  com- 
municated by  means  of  vibratory  motion  ; they 
thereby  unfold  energetic  chemical  aptitudes 
which  result  in  new  chemical  relationships. 


DESGEIPTION  OF  APPABATUS. 

After  much  diligent  inquiry  regarding  the 
principles  now  commended  to  attention,  and 
experiment  to  determine  their  practical  availa- 
bility, the  ends  sought  in  the  application  of 
vibratory  operations  for  therapeutic  purposes 
were  fully  realized.  A series  of  machines  has 
been  constructed  capable  of  applying  vibratory 
motion  in  agreeable  forms,  to  every  part  of  the 
body,  and  successfully  carrying  out  these  prin- 
ciples. Tliese  applications  comprise  several 
methods. 

The  first  method  of  applying  vibratory  mo- 
tion is  confined  to  the  extremeties.  It  consists 
in  giving  the  limb,  whether  arm  or  leg,  an  os- 
cillation— a rapid  succession  of  short,  quick 
turns  or  twists  upon  its  axis  — the  direction  of 
the  motion  being  at  right  angles  to  the  longi- 


DESCRIPTION  OF  APPARATUS. 


'29 


tudinal  axis  of  the  extremity.  The  motion  is 
reciprocating  or  alternating  in  opposite  direc- 
tions ; it  may  be  continued  uninterruptedly  for 
several  minutes,  or  till  the  desired  effect  is  pro- 
duced, which  depends  on  the  condition  of  the 
system.  The  patient  may  be.  either  in  a sitting 
or  reclining  position,  with  one  leg  or  arm  ex- 
tended for  the  action  of  the  apparatus. 

This  motion,  or  method  of  expending  force, 
produces  mechanical  attrition  between  the  ulti- 
mate anatomical  elements  of  which  the  extrem- 
ity is  composed ; it  also  produces  alternate 
slight  pressure  and  relaxation  of  these  constit- 
uent parts  in  rapid  succession. 

In  the  second  method  of  vibrating,  the  per- 
son subjected  to  the  operation  rests  in  a lying 
position  upon  the  apparatus,  which  has  the 
general  appearance  of  a couch,  and  some  se- 
lected point  of  the  under  portion  of  the  body 
is  subjected  to  the  rapid  but  very  light  strokes 
of  the  instrument  operating  from  beneath,  the 
patient  being  situated  so  as  to  adjust  the  im- 
pinging force  and  to  render  it  perfectly  agree- 
able to  his  feelings. 

The  immediate  mechanical  effect  consists  of 
a rapid  series  of  vibratory  waves,  whose  de- 


30 


METHOD  OF  ACTION. 


grees  of  intensity  shade  off  in  every  direction 
from  the  impinging  and  radiating  point.  As 
the  physiological  and  therapeutic  effects  will 
be  revulsive,  stimulant,  etc.,  according  to  the 
degree  of  intensity  of  the  motion,  it  is  plain 
that  the  desired  effect  may  be  secured  by  ad- 
justing the  position  according  to  the  diagnosis 
or  medical  ideas  of  the  case  as  related  to  means 
employed.  Every  portion  of  the  body  may  be 
subjected  to  various  kinds  and  degrees  of  ac- 
tion, and  the  particular  effect  desired  can  easily 
be  secured. 

The  third  method  of  applying  the  action  con- 
sists in  the  short,  quick,  reciprocating  motion 
of  an  instrument  applied  to  some  selected  por- 
tion of  the  body.  Various  effects  are  obtained 
through  this  action,  according  to  the  degree  of 
pressure.  If  the  pressure  be  slight,  the  action 
is  expended  chiefly  on  the  surface  of  the  body; 
if  the  pressure  be  increased,  a similar  action  is 
produced  among  the  deep-seated  structures  of 
the  interior,  and  effects  will  be  varied  accord- 
ingly. 

When  the  contact  of  the  impinging  instru- 
ment is  so  slight  as  to  allow  it  to  glide  upon 
the  skin,  this  action  is  tolerably  understood 


DESCRIPTION'  OF  APPARATUS. 


31 


]jy  tlie  term  rubbing.  With  more  pressure, 
the  skin  is  comparatively  unaffected,  -while  the 
frictional  action  is  expended  in  deeper  parts. 

In  this  operation,  also,  the  apparatus  is  so 
contrived  that  the  degree  of  force  and  motion 
employed  may  he  wholly  governed  by  the  per- 
son receiving  the  action. 

An  analysis  and  comparison  of  these  vibra- 
tory motions  show  their  mechanical  forms  to 
be  similar,  and  that  the  choice  in  their  use  will 
depend  more  on  local  convenience  than  the 
peculiar  specific  effects  distinguishing  them. 

The  degree  of  rapidity  with  which  these 
curative  motions  may  be  applied,  generally 
ranges  between  one  and  two  thousand  vibra- 
tory acts  per  minute.  Here,  again,  is  opportu- 
nity to  secure  a variety  of  effects,  such  as 
experience  may  prove  to  be  most  desirable  in 
different  cases.  The  more  rapid  rate  produces 
effects  somewhat  allied  to  a diffusive  stimulant, 
but  more  permanent  and  not  followed  by  any 
sign  of  depression.  The  slower  rates  secure 
reactive  effects  of  various  grades  quite  as  valu- 
able in  a therapeutic  point  of  view.  The  spe- 
cific effects,  to  be  described,  diminish  with  the 
rate  of  motion  till  this  ceases  to  be  vibratory 


33 


TIME  OF  VIBEATORY  ACTION. 


and  glides  into  that  of  kneading.,  giv^ing  it 
quite  another  character,  whether  judged  of  hy 
the  sensations  or  the  control  of  nutritive  func- 
tions. Very  slow  motions  of  this  kind,  if 
accompanied  with  due  pressure,  have  still  a 
therapeutic  value,  hut  of  another  class. 

The  time  during  which  any  portion  of  the 
body  may  be  subjected  to  the  vibratory  action 
will  depend  on  the  pathology  of  the  case,  and 
the  therapeutic  end  desired.  Especial  refer- 
ence is  had  to  the  condition  of  the  nervous 
system.  In  paralysis,  these  different  forms  of 
motion  may  be  used  almost  without  stint,  if 
applied  at  the  proper  jDoints  and  in  prescribed 
order.  In  other  forms  of  nervous  affection 
vibration  is,  when  well  directed  and  not  used 
in  excess,  a valuable  as  well  as  a powerful 
remedy.  Everything  depends  on  the  purpose 
and  design  of  the  application,  and  the  de- 
meanor of  the  patient  under  its  use.  In  short, 
the  degree  of  success,  in  persons  of  great  sensi- 
tiveness, depends  on  the  tact  of  the  operator. 

Having  thus  explained  what  is  meant  by 
vibratory  motion  as  applied  to  the  different 
regions  of  the  body,  we  are  prepared  to  exam- 
ine how  the  physical,  chemical,  physiological- 


EFFECTS  OF  VIBRATOKT  MOTION. 


83 


and  vital  operations  of  the  organism  are  influ- 
enced by  applications  of  this  kind,  and  how 
the  effects  so  produced  are  turned  to  therapeu- 
tic advantage. 


EFFECTS  OF  VIBRATORY  MOTION  ON  BODILY 
TEMPERATURE. 

The  most  immediate  and  conspicuous  of  the 
effects  of  either  of  the  forms  of  the  vibratory 
process  is  an  increase  of  the  temperature  of 
the  part  subjected  to  the  action.  No  matter 
how  prolonged  and  obstinate  the  previous  feel- 
ing of  cold  in  the  extremities,  a few  minutes’ 
employment  of  this  agency  invariably  restores 
the  normal  temperature.  The  same  is  equally 
true  of  other  regions  of  the  body  besides  the 
extremities.  The  feeling  of  warmth  thus  in- 
duced gradually  diffuses  itself  from  the  point 
to  which  the  action  is  applied,  over  the  whole 
body.  A softening  of  the  skin  by  increase  of 
insensible  perspiration  is  a constant  result  of 
the  process,  and  an  active  perspiration  some- 
times succeeds  the  access  of  heat.  The  tem- 
perature has  not  been  observed  to  rise  above 
the  natural  standard,  except  in  case  of  too  pro- 


34 


HEAT  PEODUCTION. 


longed  application  of  the  process,  on  several 
successive  days. 

The  vibratory  processes  have  been  demon- 
strated to  be  prompt  and  reliable  as  a means 
of  permanently  restoring  the  natural  tempera- 
ture to  any  portion,  or  to  the  whole  of  the 
body,  whenever  it  is  deficient.  Indeed,  there 
has  been  found  no  condition  of  disease  which 
effectually  resists  this  heat-producing  cause. 
It  is  consequently  a means  of  depriving  chronic 
disease  of  its  most  constant  and  troublesome 
characteristic. 

This  increase  of  heat  may  doubtless  be  re- 
ferred to  two  sources.  The  friction  of  fluids^ 
and  of  fiuids  and  solids  under  agitation,  has 
long  been  demonstrated  to  be  a cause  of  heat. 
The  source  of  heat  is  the  motion  which  becomes 
by  this  means  transformed  to  heat,  and  fur- 
nishes an  illustration  of  the  correlation  of 
forces. 

But  the  chief  source  of  heat  in  this  case  is 
probably  the  increased  chemical  action  that 
^s  superinduced,  particularly  that  occurring 
through  the  agency  of  oxygen.  This  form  of 
action  is  hastened  by  vibration,  and  the  elimi- 
nation of  heat  is  bat  an  illustration  of  the 


EFFECTS  OF  VIBRATORY  MOTION. 


35 


nearly  universal  law,  that  heat  is  evolved 
whenever  complex  chemical  combinations,  like 
those  constituting  the  organism,  are  reduced  to 
more  simple  forms. 

This  heat  actually  appears  interiorly,  and 
differs  from  all  other  therapeutic  applications 
of  heat,  which  are  made  only  to  the  surface. 
In  one  case  the  heat  finds  its  way  to  the  surface 
along  with  the  normal  products  of  waste,  while 
in  the  other,  it  must  be  transferred  inward  from 
the  surface,  only  through  the  circulation  of  the 
blood. 

The  maintenance  of  the  normal  temperature 
has  always  been  regarded  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance. The  well  have  great  facility  for 
resupplying  the  waste  of  heat  as  fast  as  it 
occurs,  while  in  the  chronic  invalid  its  waste  is 
resupplied  tardily  and  with  difliculty.  Hence, 
remedies  which  contribute  to  the  heat  of  the 
bodj^,  if  only  transiently,  have  ever  been  in 
favor  in  the  treatment  of  chronic  invalids,  even 
though  they  simply  supply  the  element  of  heat 
without  aiding  its  normal  production.  We 
may  perhaps  attain  some  idea  of  the  uses  of 
temperature  by  reflecting  that  it  appears  to 
facilitate  the  development  and  perfection  of 


36 


HEAT  PKODUCTION. 


elemental  vital  forms.  This  suggestion  is 
supported  hy  the  well-known  importance  of 
heat  for  the  germination  of  seeds,  and  for  the 
development  of  eggs  of  oviparous  animals. 
In  both  of  these  cases  the  development  of 
vital  activity  is  entirely  dependent  on  the 
supply  of  heat.  Physiology  affords  no  dis- 
tinction between  the  elementary  vital  forms 
that  are  to  serve  in  the  animal  structure  as 
the  instruments  of  its  power  and  those  that  are 
destined  for  further  development  into  separate 
and  distinct  organisms  ; and  it  is  reasonable  to 
suppose  that  in  either  case  similar  conditions 
are  equally  favorable  to  development. 

Vibratory  motion  not  only  immediately  sup- 
plies heat  to  the  body  by  the  oxidation  which 
it  secures,  and  by  the  transformation  of  motion 
to  heat  through  the  friction  and  concussion  of 
its  elements,  but  experience  has  fully  proved 
that  this  increased  supply  of  heat  directly  be- 
comes spontaneous  and  permanent.  The  nat- 
ural production  of  heat  is  first  imitated,  and 
finally  goes  forward  as  in  health.  The  vital 
force-evolving  elements  -of  the  nerve-centers 
are  enabled  to  perform  their  functions  more 
naturally  and  pei-fectly,  and  the  indispensable 


INCREASE  OF  OXIDATION. 


37 


condition  for  the  manifestation  of  nerve-power 
is  restored. 

Heat  has  always  been  a favorite,  perhaps 
because  a ready,  form  for  tiie  application  of 
force  remedially,  and  its  recent  revival  is  due 
more  to  the  devising  of  unique  methods  for  its 
application  by  means  of  baths  than  to  the  dis- 
covery of  new  curative  virtues.  Applied  to  the 
extremities,  it  expands  the  capillaries,  and  is 
therefore  revulsive  in  its  effects.  It  aids  the 
conveyance  of  effete  saline  compounds  from 
tlie  body  through  transpiration.  Its  effects, 
however,  whenever  externally  applied,  are 
transient  and  superficial. 


INCREASE  OF  OXIDATION. 

The  increase  of  heat  produced  by  vibration 
is  an  evidence  of  the  increased  use  by  the  sys- 
tem of  oxygen.  There  are  still  other  evidences 
quite  as  satisfactory,  among  which  is  : The 
products  of  oxidation  passing  from  the  body 
are  increased,  as  proved  by  the  following  : 

The  skin  becomes  softer  and  moister,  show- 
ing that  more  insensible  perspiration  is  elimi 
nated. 


38 


SATISFACTORY  EVIDENCES. 


The  amount  of  urine  is  increased,  often  to  the 
extent  of  fifty  per  cent.,  signifying  that  more 
water  is  produced  bj’’  the  oxidizing  process. 

Urine,  previously  of  deep  color,  becomes 
lighter  and  of  natural  color,  indicating  that 
the  extractives  are  destroyed  by  reduction 
through  oxygen. 

The  amount  of  urea  is  increased,  and  that  of 
uric  acid  is  diminished^  which  effects  are  pro- 
duced by  the  same  cause. 

The  disappearance  of  rheumatism  and  scrof- 
ulous enlargements  also  affords  evidence  of  in- 
creased energy  of  oxidation,  reducing  morbid 
material  to  the  form  in  which  it  can  be  elim- 
inated. 

Further  evidence  in  the  same  direction  is 
afforded  by  the  marked  expansion  of  the  chest 
and  the  involuntary  effort  to  perform  deeper 
respiratory  acts — evident  attempts  to  respond 
to  the  increased  demand  for  oxygen  produced 
by  vibration.  No  exact  experiments  have 
^demonstrated  the  amount  of  increase  of  car- 
bonic acid  exhaled,  but  we  are  justified  in  pre- 
suming that  this  corresponds  witlt  the  other 
effects  noticed. 


ELIMINATION  INCREASED  BY  VIBRATION.  39 


ELIMINATION  INCREASED  BY  VIBRATION. 

The  effect  of  the  increase  of  chemical  action, 
secured  by  vibration,  is  expended  chiefly  on 
the  retrogressive,  wasting  elements  of  the  sys- 
tem— a consequence  of  the  utmost  importance 
in  chronic  illness.  For  it  is  at  just  this  point 
in  these  cases  that  the  failure  which  constitutes 
ill-health  exists.  According  to  Lehmann,  the 
products  of  oxidation  are  always  diminished 
in  disease.  This  statement  is  corroborated  by 
other  investigators  in  physiological  chemistry. 
To  the  comprehension  of  all  thoughtful  ob- 
servers, the  furred  tongue,  the  local  conges- 
tions, the  evidences  of  “biliousness,”  the  dry- 
ness of  the  skin,  coldness  of  surface  and  ex- 
tremities, with  a retinue  of  similar  symptoms, 
are  evidences  of  the  presence  of  incompletely 
oxidized  and  therefore  retained  matters.  Elim- 
ination is  the  immediate  and  inevitable  conse- 
quence of  carrying  the  oxidizing  act  forward 
to  completion,  because  the  products  of  oxida- 
tion, secured  by  this  means,  become  aeriform 
and  fluid,  and  at  once  find  exit  through  skin, 
lungs,  and  kidneys. 

The  practical  importance  of  this  point  it  is 


40 


PliOCESS  OF  VIBRATION. 


impossible  to  exaggerate.  Indeed,  it  is  the  in- 
direct effect  of  all  remedies,  whatever  be  their 
aim,  to  restore  the  proper  relation  between 
supply  and  waste,  by  causing  a more  perfect 
use  and  disposal  of  food.  Whatever  else  be 
the  purpose  of  the  body,  it  is,  first,  an  oxidiz- 
ing apparatus.  The  other  purposes  of  bodily 
existence  are  fulfilled  in  about  the  ratio  of  per- 
fection attained  by  this  function. 

It  follows  that  the  kind  of  remedial  assist- 
ance most  needed  is  that  which  aids  in  perfect- 
ing this  physiological  process,  because  such 
assistance  supplies  at  once  the  ordinary  means 
of  destroying  morbific  principles,  and  furnishes 
an  antidote  for  their  effects. 

The  process  of  vibration  is  simply  that  of 
bringing  these  mobile  elements  of  the  system, 
which  are  seeking  alliance,  into  contact.  This 
secures  the  completion  of  those  atomic  changes 
which  it  is  the  endeavor  of  physiology  to  se- 
cure. The  test-tube  in  the  hands  of  the  chem- 
ist, which  on  agitation  instantly  indicates  the 
expected  reaction,  illustrates  the  effect  of  mo- 
tion within  the  body  in  fulfilling  the  cliemico- 
physiological  tendencies  of  its  constituent  ele- 
ments. 


ELIMINATION  INCKEASED  BY  VIBRATION.  41 


The  oxygen  held  in  solution  by  the  blood  be- 
comes most  potent  and  efficacious  when  brought 
into  vigorous  contact  with  oxidizable  materials. 
The  blood,  on  the  other  hand,  can  not  attract 
this  element  from  the  air  of  respiration  in  great- 
er proportion  than  it  is  yielded  to  the  system. 
The  effect  of  motion  is  to  render  active  the 
latent  chemical  tendencies  of  atoms  and  mole- 
cules, and  their  attraction  for  oxygen  through- 
out the  system  becomes  energetic.  In  short,  it 
is  increased  energy  of  chemico-vital  affinities 
that  needs  to  be  vigorously  asserted  in  order  to 
meet  the  requirements  of  the  chronic  invalid. 

This  view  is  in  perfect  harmony  with  ordi- 
nary medical  practice.  It  only  presents  means 
more  direct,  and  fulfills  indications  more 
completely.  For  all  remedies  do  something 
either  directly  or  indirectly  toward  the  end 
here  in  view,  or  they  fail  to  satisfy  expecta- 
tion. 

Practically,  these  views  are  fully  justified  by 
our  experience  of  the  effects  of  vibration.  For 
as  the  products  of  waste  rise  to  the  normal 
standard,  both  in  quality  and  amount,  the 
countenance  brightens,  the  appetite  and 
strength  return,  and  all  those  evidences  of 


42 


CHEMICAL  ACTION. 


disease  which  constitute  physical  symptoms 
coincidently  disappear. 

The  effects  now  described  as  attainable 
through  the  application  of  vibratory  action  are 
desirable  in  all  chronic  disease,  because  they 
pertain  to  the  quality  of  the  blood,  and  the 
degree  of  perfection  attained  by  the  nutritive 
function.  Many  nervous  symptoms  are  doubt- 
less attributable  to  the  occurrence  of  some  toxic 
element,  interfering  with  the  proper  nutrition 
of  the  nerve-centers  and  conductors,  which  has 
its  origin  in  an  aberration  of  the  retrogressive 
or  denutritive  processes.  These  symptoms  find 
their  natural  and  perfect  remedy  in  the  effects 
secured  through  the  application  of  vibratory 
action. 

Another  series  of  defects  arises  in  chronic 
disease,  which  especially  impedes  the  restora- 
tion of  diseased  nerves.  This  consists  of  the 
impediments  to  the  transfer  of  matters  which 
have  already  entered  the  vital  arena  from  the 
digestive  organs.  These  impediments  appear 
in  the  forms  of  congestion  of  capillaries,  defi- 
cient osmotic  action,  imperfect  regional  and 
imperfect  general  circulation  of  the  blood. 
Each  of  these  morbid  conditions  is  specially 


REMOVAL  OF  CONGESTION. 


43 


related  to  the  health  of  the  nerves,  and  is  par- 
ticularly amenable  to  the  influence  of  vibratory 
operations. 


REMOVAL  OF  CONGESTION. 

In  congestion,  the  minute  vessels  are  dis- 
tended with  blood,  and  the  current  is  sluggish. 
The  capillary  walls  do  not  contract  effectively, 
so  as  to  move  forward  their  contents.  Most 
diseases  are  characterized  by  congestion  at 
some  points.  When  this  condition  has  long 
existed,  the  contained  blood  is  deteriorated, 
and  we  are  informed  by  pathologists  that  gelat- 
inous corpuscles  occur.  These,  together  with 
the  adherent  blood-corpuscles,  become  attached 
to  the  capillary  walls  and  to  each  other,  caus- 
ing partial  occlusion  or  stoppage  in  the  vessels. 
The  power  of  vibration  to  remove  this  condi- 
tion of  things  can  be  easily  understood.  The 
mechanical  impulse,  instantly  narrowing  the 
walls  of  the  dilated  vessels,  drives  their  con- 
tents forward.  The  same  act  also  stimulates 
the  vital  contraction  of  these  walls,  adding  this 
to  the  causes  of  motion  acting  upon  the  cur- 
rent. These  causes  conspire  to  force  onward 


44 


CAEE  REQUIRED. 


and  remove  the  mechanical  impediment  in  the 
minute  vessels,  and  a fresh  supply  of  blood 
from  the  heart  is  consequently  admitted. 

The  effect  of  vibration  is  to  stimulate  and 
nourish  the  capillary  walls,  and  cause  them  to 
become  permanently  more  contractile,  and  able 
to  transmit  duly  their  currents,  instead  of  inju- 
riously retaining  them. 

To  produce  these  effects  in  a satisfactory 
manner  requires  something  more  than  a hap- 
hazard and  blundering  way  of  applying  the 
remedy.  The  mode  of  application,  it  has 
before  been  intimated,  depends  on  the  nature 
of  the  case,  and  a full  knowledge  of  the  pecu- 
liarities and  powers  of  the  remedy  ; otherwise 
injury  will  be  inflicted.  It  is  necessary  to  say 
here,  that  a full  use  of  the  revulsive  means 
above  described  is  an  indispensable  prelimi- 
nary in  the  production  of  these  effects.  The 
vibratory  action  should  be  gradually  carried 
nearer  the  diseased  point,  sending  at  first  the 
lighter  waves  of  vibration  into  the  diseased 
region,  being  always  careful  to  be  guided  by 
the  sensations  of  the  patient.  The  physician 
may  in  this  way  have  the  satisfaction,  as  from 
time  to  time  he  examines  his  patient,  of  wit- 


INTERCHANGE  OF  FLUIDS. 


45 


nessing  the  removal  of  swelling  (when  this  has 
been  indolent)  as  well  as  pain  and  soreness 
from  regions  that  have  long  suffered  and 
proved  intractable  to  the  most  approved  and 
potent  remedies  before  used. 


INTERCHANGE  OF  FLUIDS  PRODUCED  BY 
VIBRA  TION— ABSORPTION. 

The  motion  of  fluids  caused  by  vibration  is 
not  confined  to  those  contained  by  vessels. 
The  effect  is  coextensive  with  the  action,  and 
includes  interstitial  as  well  as  circulatory 
fluids. 

The  agitating  effect  of  vibration  superinduces 
an  exchange  of  fluids.  Those  outside  the 
vessels,  in  which  the  tissues  in  general  are 
bathed,  are  transferred  to  tbe  venous  vessels 
through  their  membranous  walls,  while  those 
contained  by  the  nutritive  or  arterial  vessels 
pass  in  the  opposite  direction.  This  is  exactly 
the  way  in  which  these  respective  fluids  natu- 
rally tend,  by  reason  of  their  qualities,  func- 
tions, and  destinies.  But  these  motions  are 
aided  and  rendered  perfect  by  mechanical  as- 
sistance from  an  exterior  source, — by  vibration. 


46 


EVIDEKCES  OF  ABSORPTION. 


This  effect,  it  will  he  noticed,  is  on  the  prin- 
ciple amplified  in  works  on  physical  science 
under  the  designation  of  Osmosis.  The  con- 
ditions for  this  action  consist  in  the  differing 
fluids  being  separated  by  membranous  walls. 
Motion  being  imparted  to  one  of  these  fluids 
(that  within  the  vessels  in  this  case),  the  oilier 
is  drawn  through  the  membrane  and  Joins  that 
in  the  vessels.  The  physical  conditions  are 
amply  fulfilled  and  the  expected  results 
attained  in  the  case  before  us.  The  evidence 
of  the  action  consists  in  the  diminution  of 
swelling,  in  disappearance  of  fat,  and  in  cer- 
tain cases,  at  will  of  the  operator,  the  sudden 
appearance  of  what  are  usually  called  “bil- 
ious” symptoms. 

It  hence  appears  that  vibratory  action  be- 
comes a reliable  and  radical  means  of  securing 
interstitial  absorption,  and  is  of  excellent  re- 
medial service  in  case  of  swollen  parts.  Prac- 
tically, it  is  an  effective  means  of  reducing 
hypertrophies  of  organs  whether  internal  or 
external,  glandular  swellings,  and  dropsical 
effusions  whether  areolar  or  in  cavities.  In 
the  latter  case  the  action  of  the  skin,  always 
increased  by  the  motion  described,  often  be- 


INTERCHANGE  OF  FLUIDS. 


47 


comes  for  a short  time  excessive,  while  the  effu- 
sion in  the  mean  time  disappears. 

The  diminution  of  scrofulous  swellings  and 
hypertrophies  is  probably  produced  by  the 
joint  result  of  two  effects  of  vibration.  First, 
the  reducing  effect  of  the  additional  oxygen 
caused  to  be  attracted  to  and  absorbed  in  the 
region ; second,  the  absorption,  through  the 
agency  of  the  same  cause,  of  the  liquefied 
materials  into  the  general  currents  of  the  cir- 
culation, submitting  them,  in  common  with  the 
rest,  to  purifying  and  eliminating  causes  inces- 
santly operative  throughout  the  organism. 
These  effects  of  vibration  in  scrofulous  and 
other  enlargements  have  often  been  practically 
demonstrated. 

The  therapeutic  influence  of  the  effects  of 
vibratory  action  in  disease  of  the  nerve-centers 
is  easily  made  intelligible.  It  matters  not 
what  pathological  appearances  may  be  re- 
vealed by  post-mortem  examinations  it  is  the 
beginnings  and  early  progress  rather  than  the 
products  of  such  disease  with  which  we  are 
called  upon  to  deal.  The  beginnings  of  disease 
of  nerve-centers  must  be  allied  to  the  initial 
stages  of  other  forms  of  disease.  There  cer- 


48 


EVIDENCES  OF  ABSORPTION. 


tainly  must  be  some  dyscrasy  of  tlie  blood 
capable  of  sustaining  the  disease  before  it 
can  exist.  There  must  also  be  perversion  of 
local  nutrition,  here  as  elsewhere  connected 
with  the  office  of  capillary  nutrition,  consisting 
in  part,  at  least,  of  imperfect  interchange  of 
fluids.  The  wasting  matters  resulting  from  dis- 
integrating nerve-tissne  are  probably  imper- 
fectly reduced,  and  consequently  retained  in 
some  noxious  form.  These  imperiectly  elabo- 
rated matters  are  capable  of  either  furnishing 
mechanical  obstructions  in  the  capillary  circu- 
lation of  the  cerebro-spinal  centers  ; or  they 
may  react  as  toxic  agents,  and  hinder  or  per- 
vert the  generation  of  power  at  this  important 
seat  of  vitality.  In  either  case  vibratory  action 
is  wonderfully  eflective  in  removing  the  imped- 
iments to  health  Avhich  exist  in  capillaries.  It 
will  therefore  exert  a valuable,  indeed  indis- 
pensable, restorative  power  in  diseases  of  the 
nerves. 


BEVVLSIVE  EFFECT  OF  VIBBATION. 

The  remedial  method  which  consists  in 
causing  activity  and  even  irritation  in  some 


EEVULSIVE  EFFECTS  OF  VIBRATION.  49 


tissue,  or  at  some  point,  for  the  purpose  of 
diminishing  the  evidences  of  disease  in  a dis- 
tant part,  has  always  been  employed  in  medi- 
cal practice.  Surface  irritants,  such  as  blisters, 
plasters,  ointments,  vesicants,  liniments,  em- 
bracing a host  of  different  articles,  belong 
to  this  class.  Cuppings,  leechings,  bleedings, 
issues,  setons,  and  cauterizings  belong  to  the 
same.  The  application  of  heat  and  cold  to 
parts  of  the  body,  as  well  as  the  use  of  the 
Russian,  Turkish,  and  other  baths,  are  in  part 
for  the  same  purpose.  Though  revulsive  rem- 
edies may  not  always  be  employed  with  good 
judgment,  yet  experience  has  fully  shown  the 
correctness  of  the  principle  which  dictates  their 
use. 

Doubtless  the  good  effects  of  many  internal 
remedies,  as  cathartics,  stimulants,  alteratives, 
etc.,  may  be  attributed  to  the  same  principle. 
Such  is  the  obscurity  of  medicinal  action,  and 
such  is  our  ignorance  regarding  the  way  medi- 
cal effects  are  produced,  that  it  is  often  impos- 
sible to  determine  whether,  for  instance,  the 
cerebro-spinal  substance  is  directly  affected, 
or  some  other  tissue  is  made  by  the  action  of 
the  drug  to  call  nutritive  supply  from  the 


50 


KINDS  OF  EEVULSION. 


previously  excited  nerve-centers.  There  are 
proofs  that  the  latter  hypothesis  is  the  correct 
one  in  many  cases.  Whether  the  one  suppo- 
sition regarding  the  mode  of  operation  of 
remedies,  or  the  other  be  correct,  it  is  quite 
certain  that  the  disease  is  mitigated,  not  by 
making  a physiological,  but  pathological  im- 
pression. This  impression  may  or  it  may  not 
be  transient.  If  we  could  fully  Tcnow  the 
causes  of  nervous  maladies,  we  might  often 
trace  their  origin  to  remedies  whose  immediate 
consequence  may  be  relief  and  seeming  bene- 
fit, but  whose  ultimate  effect  on  nerve-centers 
is  disastrous.  The  facts  in  this  case  must  be 
left  to  the  further  development  of  medical 
science. 

There  are  two  kinds  of  revulsion.  One  con- 
sists in  producing  an  afflux  of  blood  to  some 
region  of  the  body,  as  the  skin  and  extremities, 
whereby  the  quantity  contained  in  a suffering 
part  may  be  diminished.  This  is  regional  re- 
vulsion. The  other  kind  relates  to  the  physi- 
ological uses  made  of  the  materials  the  blood 
contains,  whereby  nutrition  is  changed  from 
the  support  of  one  to  that  of  another  function^ 
This  is  physiological  revulsion. 


REVULSIVE  EFFECTS  OF  VIBRATION.  51 


The  mode  of  securing  regional  revulsion  is 
readily  understood.  The  vibratory  applica- 
tions are  applied  to  a limited  portion  of  the 
body  ; its  nerves  are  aroused,  and  its  nutritive 
activities  excited.  This,  more  than  any  other 
cause,  increases  the  measure  of  blood  which 
flows  to  the  designated  region.  The  vessels 
become  distended,  their  capacity  increases,  and 
the  part  gains  color. 

The  local  increase  is  attended  by  a corre- 
sponding diminution  of  blood  in  contiguous 
and  even  in  remote  regions  of  the  body.  This 
revulsive  consequence  of  vibratory  motion  may 
be  increased  to  any  desired  extent,  simply  by 
extending  the  area  of  the  action  and  multiply- 
ing the  applications.  When  new  and  vigorous 
action  is  assured  in  any  chosen  part,  such  part 
is  made  to  assume  new  relations  to  the  remain- 
der of  the  body  as  regards  the  distribution  of 
the  nervous  power,  as  well  as  that  of  the  circu- 
lation— effect  closely  following  cause.  ISTervous 
action  is  clearly  dependent  on  blood  supply, 
and  increases  or  diminishes  in  any  region  or 
organ  with  the  increase  or  diminution  of  nutri- 
tive activity.  This  activity  is  completely  under 
the  control  of  vibratory  motion. 


52 


CONGESTION  REMOVED. 


The  facility  and  thoroughness  with  which 
vibratory  motion  may  be  supplied,  renders  it 
a ready  and  reliable  means  for  determining  the 
real  value  of  this  therapeutic  principle.  It  is 
found  to  be  as  valuable  in  mitigating  and  sub- 
duing affections  of  extended  regions  of  the 
body  as  in  controlling  the  lesser  ailments  of 
invalids.  Thus,  various  disabilities  relating  to 
the  head,  chest,  digestive  organs,  pelvis,  etc., 
find  relief  from  the  derivative  use  of  vibratory 
action.  But  nowhere  is  the  effect  more  satis- 
factory than  in  diseases  of  the  cerebro-spinal 
axis,  whether  characterized  by  diminution  of 
power  or  by  neuralgic  pain.  Any  portion  of 
these  centers  of  nervous  power  suffering  from 
congestion  will  find  direct  relief  in  vibratory 
motion,  if  applied  with  a strictly  revulsive 
design.  This  is  probably  because  of  the  ex- 
citement produced  in  the  skin  and  extremities, 
and  the  transfer  of  blood  to  them.  The  salutary 
effect  is  rendered  permanent  by  cautious  repe- 
titions of  the  operations  at  suitable  intervals. 
There  are  no  coincident  pathological  conditions 
superinduced  to  compromise  the  purity  and 
permanency  of  the  effect,  as  is  the  case  when 
other  revulsive  means  are  employed. 


REVULSIVE  EFFECTS  OF  VIBRATION.  63 


Bat  the  physiological  revulsion  produced  by 
vibration  is  distinct  from  any  effect  produced 
by  other  means,  inasmuch  as  it  relates  to  bod- 
ily functions  as  well  as  regions. 

The  principle  forming  the  basis  of  this  cura- 
tive process  will  be  readily  understood.  Nor- 
mal action  of  the  muscles  is  preceded  and  ac- 
companied by  nerm  action. 

This  nerve  action  may  either  have  its  origin 
in  the  will  which  communicates  its  incentive 
through  the  nerve  to  the  muscle,  or  in  the  irri- 
tation produced  by  some  cause  affecting  the 
sensory  extremity  of . the  nerve  connected  with 
the  muscle.  Now,  the  vibratory  action,  how- 
ever energetic  it  may  be,  takes  place  without 
the  intervention  of  either  of  these  causes. 
The  nerve  receives  no  incentive  and  does  not 
act,  and  is  entirely  relieved  of  the  necessity  for 
acting.  Hence,  the  nutritive  effects  which 
action  always  incites  fall  upon  other  than 
nerve-tissue ; revulsive  effect  specially  related 
to  nerves  is  secured  ; the  pre-existing  excessive 
activity  of  nerves  is  counterbalanced ; their 
congestion  is  relieved;  excited  action  of  the 
cerebro-spinal  centers  is  subdued.  Indeed,  it 
not  unfrequently  happens  that  persons  of 


64 


VARIOUS  CAUSES. 


halbitually  excited  nerves  lapse  into  a quiet 
sleej)  while  being  subjected  to  the  vibratory 
operations.  These  facts  atford  evidence  that 
the  most  prominent  cause  of  nervous  disease, 
when  this  consists  of  congestion,  is  removed 
by  vibratory  movements. 


CONGESTION,  THE  PRIMARY  CONDITION  IN 
NERVOUS  CASES. 

It  is  well  understood  that  a diversity  of 
symptoms  greatly  differing  in  character  may 
arise  from  the  same  cause  in  different  individ- 
uals. There  is  much  reason  to  believe  that  the 
first  stages  of  diseases  of  the  cerebro-spinal 
axis  are  characterized  by  the  presence  of  too 
much  blood  in  the  nerve-centers.  In  the  pro- 
gress of  the  disease,  the  change  of  habits 
which  is  caused  by  enforced  inactivity  may, 
and  probably  often  does,  produce  subse- 
quently an  opposite  condition.  This  conclu- 
sion is  supported  by  the  popular  observation, 
that  persons  whose  habits  of  life  subject  the 
nerves  to  undue  activity  and  wear  for  a long 
period,  incur  a far  greater  liability  to  nervous 
disease  than  others  ; indeed,  they  are  alwaj-s 


CONGESTION. 


55 


verging  on  some  form  of  such  disease.  Con- 
stitutional predisposition  has  also  its  place 
among  influences  conducing  to  such  diseases  ; 
but  unequal  use  produces  unequal  nutrition, 
the  essential  and  ultimate  cause  of  this  class 
of  affections. 

Although  the  brain  of  man  is  but , one-thir- 
tieth the  weight  of.  the  body,  physiologists 
have  shown  that  it  receives  from  one- tenth  to 
one-eighth  of  the  blood  sent  from  the  heart  to 
sustain  the  body.  If  the  afflux  be  too  much 
increased  by  use,  or  if  it  be  not  counterpoised 
by  muscular  action,  the  nerve-centers  will  be 
under  perpetual  pressure.  If,  now,  the  general 
health  be  from  any  cause  impaired  through 
the  ordinary  cliannels  of  derangement,  it  is 
clear  that  the  deterioration  must  be  more  de- 
cided and  grave  at  the  point  of  greatest  nutri- 
tive action,  and  disease  of  nerve-centers  is  the 
inevitable  consequence. 

The  remedial  requirements  of  such  conditions 
are  perfectly  obvious.  The  nutritive  afflux  to 
nerve-centers  must  be  turned  in  the  opposite 
direction.  To  increase  the  healthy  action  of 
the  muscles  and  other  physiological  elements 
is  to  relieve  the  embarrassed  nerves.  This 


66 


TRANSFER  OF  BLOOD. 


design  there  is  no  other  proper  way  to  fulfill. 
But  the  requirement  is  not  met  by  ordinary 
exercise,  because  this  implies  effort.  Such  ex^ 
ercises  commence  in  volition,  which  has  its 
origin  in  cerebral-centers.  In  health,  the  co- 
equal use  of  nerve  and  muscle  preserves  their 
equipoise  ; but  in  disease  of  the  nerves,  there 
is  inaptitude  for  any  considerable  degree  of 
voluntary  action.  Besides,  such  exercise  is 
damaging,  because  instead  of  restoring  the 
equipoise,  it  increases  the  disparity  of  action, 
which  already  exists,  between  the  two  great 
channels  of  bodily  power,  the  nerves  and  mus- 
cles. Exercise,  to  be  beneficial  in  these  cases, 
must  be  quite  passive,  and  vibratory  applica- 
tions are  the  only  methods  yet  devised  whereby 
passive  motion  can  be  successfully  applied  for 
curative  purposes. 

But  there  are  also  cases  of  nerve-disease  in 
the  progress  of  which  the  spinal  cord  becomes 
ansemic ; it  requires  more  blood  to  supply  its 
nutritive  wants.  The  vibratory  operations  are 
equally  efficacious  in  transferring  the  circula- 
tion in  the  one  direction  as  the  other,  and  the 
need  now  indicated  may  be  complied  with 
readily.  It  is  only  necessary  to  reverse  the 


FORCE  INCREASED  BY  VIBRATION.  67 


order  in  which  the  applications  are  made. 
This  change  reverses  the  direction  of  the  im- 
pulse afforded  by  the  operation — sends  the 
blood  as  easily  to  as  from  the  spinal  cord. 

In  these  cases,  however,  the  essential  need, 
when  thoroughly  understood,  will  be  found  to 
be  not  so  much  an  increased  supply  of  blood 
in  the  cerebro- spinal  centers,  as  increased  facil- 
ity for  initiating  and  perfecting  those  normal 
changes  of  matter  whereby  nervous  power  is 
generated.  This  principle  has  been  sufficiently 
discussed  in  another  section. 


EVOLUTION  OF  FORCE  INCREASED  BY  VIBRATION. 

Physiologists  agree  that  it  is  through 
chemical  changes  in  the  instruments  of  power 
that  vital  force  is  generated.  In  all  disease 
the  chemical  changes  are  imperfect  and  insuffi- 
cient, as  is  proved,  not  only  by  the  deficient 
force  set  free  for  the  uses  of  the  will,  but  also 
by  the  altered  character  of  the  waste  passing 
from  the  body  and  deficient  amount  of  normal 
products  of  waste.  It  has  already  been  shown 
that  exercises  in  general  are  designed  by  na- 
ture to  maintain  these  changes  and  thereby  to 


68 


SURPLUS  FORCE. 


maintain  health ; and  it  has  also  been  shown 
that  vibratory  motion  is  capable  of  supplying 
the  same  conditions,  resulting  in  the  evolution 
of  the  needed  nervous  power.  These  facts  are 
equally  applicable  in  maintaining  and  restor- 
ing the  health  of  the  nerves,  the  instruments  of 
the  will  and  sensation,  as  of  the  muscles,  the 
instruments  of  dynamic  power. 

But  the  power  liberated  in  health,  by  the 
chemical  changes, — “metamorphosis  of  tis- 
sue”— it  is  calculated,  is  in  excess  of  that 
expended  on  objects  outside  the  body.  There 
is,  hence,  a residual  force,  which  is  appropri- 
ated by  the  organizing  elements,  and  employed 
for  constructive  purposes.  This  subject  is 
fully  elaborated  in  Dr.  Carpenter’s  work  en- 
titled “Correlation  of  Vital  and  Physical 
Force.” 

The  bearing  of  this  principle  of  physiology 
will  be  seen  when  it  is  understood  that  molec- 
ular and  chemical  change  is  largely  superin- 
duced by  vibratory  motion,  and  that  force  is 
in  this  way  liberated  without  the  usual  ex- 
penditure. The  exertion  of  the  will,  the  usual 
cause  of  expenditure  of  nerve-power,  is  entirely 
suspended.  This  allows  the  constructive  force 


FORCE  AUXILIARY  TO  DEVELOPMENT.  59 


generated  in  the  manner  above  described,  to  be 
employed  wholly  for  the  reparation  and  benefit 
of  the  instruments  of  nerve-power.  It  thus 
appears  to  be  a demonstrated  fact,  that  vibra- 
tory motion  aids  the  power,  sustains  and  re- 
stores the  health  of  the  nerves,  and  is  in  strict 
accordance  with  theoretic  considerations  ema- 
nating from  leading  authorities. 


EXTEBIOR  FORCE  AUXILIARY  TO  ITS  INTERIOR 
DEVELOPMENT. 

That  a large  amount  of  force  is  required  for 
the  daily  expenditures  of  the  system  is  quite 
apparent,  and  the  fact  becomes  the  more  obvi- 
ous when  the  amount  generated  is  diminished 
by  disease.  But  the  system  does  not  absolutely 
originate  this  force  — it  only  eliminates  that 
which  is  presented  to  it  in  the  food  and  air  it 
receives.  The  vegetable  world  organizes  matter 
by  combining  it  with  force ; the  two  are  subse- 
quently separated  by  the  animal  organism. 
The  system  is  an  instrumentality  for  giving 
form  and  direction  to  this  elimination,  and 
affords  a predestined  career  to  whatever  it  re- 
ceives. The  transpositions  of  material,  which 


60 


MINUTE  FACTORS  OF  POWER. 


constitute  the  basis  of  physiology,  have  the 
purpose  of  evolving  through  physical  and 
chemical  changes  the  actions  and  powers  of 
the  living  creature.  To  this  end,  the  vital 
molecule  influences  contiguous  matters,  and 
subjugates  them  to  the  vital  form  ; but  mobil- 
ity is  the  inexorable  condition.  The  succes- 
sion of  atomic  changes  becomes  in  some  way, 
at  present  unexplained,  the  bearer  of  vital 
power,  and  serves  the  purposes  of  the  will. 
It  follows  that  the  amount  and  quality  of 
power  manifested  by  the  organism  are  entirely 
dependent  on  the  motions  of  these  minute  fac- 
tors. The  most  useful  remedies  must  conse- 
quently be  those  which  act  in  the  direction  of 
the  organic  tendencies  at  every  point  in  the 
career  of  matter  in  the  system.  Exterior  force 
is  a direct  agency  for  this  purpose,  and  can  be 
legitimately  and  profitably  employed. 

If  will  be  observed  that  the  supply  of  motion 
to  the  constituent  elements  of  the  body,  if  in 
suitable  degree,  introduces  no  new  form  of 
action.  It  only  exalts  to  the  desired  point  that 
which  previously  existed,  rendering  it  more 
pronounced  and  effective.  In  other  words, 
force,  supplied  from  without,  is,  by  physical, 


FORCE  AUXILIARY  TO  DEVELOPMENT.  61 


chemical,  and  physiological  transformations, 
made  to  subserve  and  perfect  vital  uses.  Every 
atom  is  assisted  to  consummate  its  tendencies. 
“We  everywhere  discover,”  says  Claude  Ber- 
nard, “a  rigorous  correlation  between  the 
intensity  of  physical  and  chemical  phenomena, 
and  the  phenomena  of  life ; therefore  we  are 
able,  by  acting  on  the  first,  to  modify  the  sec- 
ond, and  regulate  them  at  will.” 

From  this  it  will  be  noticed  that  the  conse- 
quence of  only  a single  impact  of  force  upon 
the  organism  is  distinctly  traceable  in  inevi- 
table physical,  chemical,  and  physiological 
effects  in  the  inmost  recesses  of  the  body 
wherever  vital  power  is  evolved.  That  such  a 
cause  infiuences  and  controls  the  evolution  of 
power,  is  a logical  necessity.  Though  the  en- 
ergy expended  among  vital  molecules  by  a 
single  impact  may  be  too  inconsiderable,  when 
transformed  to  physiological  action,  to  be  of 
much  therapeutic  value,  yet  it  must  be  re- 
membered that  this  act  may  be  repeated 
without  limit,  and  until  the  desired  curative 
efficacy  becomes  conspicuous.  The  form  of 
the  application  admits  of  wide  variations, 
adapting  it  to  the  needs  of  the  system  under 


62 


ELECTEICAL  DISTURBANCE. 


varied  circumstances,  thus  further  complying 
with  the  needs  of  different  invalids. 


ELECTRICITY,  A PRODUCT  OF  VIBRATORY 
MOTION. 

The  use  of  electricity,  long  employed  as  a 
curative  force,  has  of  late  experienced  a revi- 
val. That  an  agency  so  long  known  should 
not  have  achieved  more  rapid  popularity,  is 
evidence  either  that  its  curative  virtues  have 
not  been  fully  brought  out,  or  that  ^it  bas 
often  been  indiscreetly  applied.  There  are 
many  facts  which  justify  the  latter  inference, 
and  show,  also,  that  injurious  effects  are  not 
only  possible,  but  frequently  actual.  The  em- 
ployment of  this  agency  attests  readiness  on 
the  part  of  the  scientific  public  to  examine  and 
test  the  merits  of  force  for  curative  purposes. 
Progress  is  achieved  even  by  experiments 
which  do  not  as  well  as  those  which  do  result 
according  to  expectation. 

Vibratory  motion  most  conclusively  disturbs 
the  static  electricity  of  living  bodies.  This 
disturbance  is  probably  attributable  to  the 
friction  of  the  multitudes  of  particles,  and  to 


CONFIRMATION  BERIVEO  FROM  NATURE.  63 


the  transformation  of  the  motor  to  electrical 
force.  There  does  not  arise  an  uncontrolled 
amount  of  this  agency  to  compromise  the  vital 
welfare ; nor  does  its  presence  cease  directly 
on  the  discontinuance  of  the  cause,  as  is  the 
case  with  the  galvanic  stream.  By  exciting  a 
rubber  ruler  by  friction,  and  observing  that 
electrical  attraction  lingers  for  a while  after 
the  exciting  cause  is  withdrawn,  one  can  be 
satisfied  that  the  static  is  less  evanescent  than 
the  galvanic  form  of  the  electrical  force.  Ex- 
periments are  now  in  progress  to  determine  the 
tension  of  the  electrical  force  thus  developed, 
its  degree  of  permanency,  and  its  physiological 
effects,  with  the  view  of  discovering  what  por- 
tion, if  any,  of  the  curative  efficacy  of  vibra- 
tion, may  be  attributable  to  electrical  disturb- 
ance. 


CONFIRMATION  OF  THE  FOREGOING  PRINCIPLES 
DERIVED  FROM  NATURE. 

All  motion  returns  to  its  starting  point  and 
is  in  some  manner  reciprocal,  having  a diver- 
sity of  rates  of  pulsation.  The  many  millions 
per  second  of  the  vibrations  of  light,  and  the 


64 


TRANSFORMATION  OF  FORCE. 


motion  of  the  planets  in  their  eccentric  orbits, 
are  examples  of  the  law.  Mechanics  change 
the  rate  but  not  the  fact  of  reciprocity  of  mo- 
tion. The  many  motions  per  minute  of  the 
piston  of  the  locomotive  are  converted  into 
and  exactly  measure  the  length  of  the  journey 
both  in  time  and  space  ; the  locomotive  as 
well  as  the  piston  constantly  returns  to  the 
same  point. 

Nature  is  replete  with  examples  both  of  the 
communication  of  vibratory  motion  from  one 
object  to  another,  and  of  the  conversion  of  one 
form  of  vibration  to  other  forms.  The  power 
of  heat,  light,  and  electricity  to  atfect  bodies 
within  the  sphere  of  their  influence,  and  their 
mutual  transformation  into  each  other,  need 
only  to  be  referred  to.  Each  of  these  forms  of 
force,  it  is  well  known,  may  result  from  pure 
motion  producing  attrition  of  the  particles  of 
matter. 

In  the  animal  body,  everything  is  palpi- 
tating, reciprocal,  vibratory,  in  different  de- 
grees. Its  vitality  is  supported  and  manifested 
through  modifications  of  such  action.  The  air 
and  food  employed  are  alternately  taken  and 
given.  The  force  which  accompanies  these 


CONFIEMATION  DERIVED  FROM  NATURE.  66 


supplies  does  not  remain,  but  is  immediately 
expended.  The  physiological  acts  of  eating 
and  assimilating,  sleeping  and  waking,  activity 
and  rest,  labor  and  recreation,  are  necessarily 
alternating. 

ISTow,  note  the  dependence  of  vitality  upon 
these  reciprocating  actions.  Respiration  is 
alternate  motion,  without  which  the  oxygen 
required  by  the  interior  operations  of  the  sys- 
tem could  not  be  supplied.  This  reciprocating 
motion  is  transmitted  to  the  stomach  and  lower 
digestive  organs,  and  is  an  absolutely  neces- 
sary condition  of  their  health.  The  heart  pul- 
sates against  the  wails  of  the  chest,  and  stim- 
ulates respiration.  The  arteries  ramify  and 
pulsate  throughout  the  system,  stimulating  the 
nutritive  actions  they  are  designed  to  support. 

But  the  system  is  so  contrived  as  to  insure 
in  health  an  abundant  supply  from  without,  of 
reciprocating  and  vibratory  motions.  All  the 
voluntary  motions  of  the  members  of  the  body 
are  necessarily  reciprocating,  and  react  general- 
ly upon  its  interior  mass  with  vibratory  motion. 
In  sitting  and  standing,  the  sustaining  muscles 
work  alternately,  and  so  affect  the  interstitial 
and  circulatory  fluids.  In  walking,  every  foot- 


66 


SPECIFIC  EFFECTS  OF  MOTION. 


fall  affords  a wholesome  vibratory  motion,  ex- 
tending throughout  the  system  and  reaching 
its  minutest  particle.  Riding,  whether  in  a 
carriage  or  on  horseback,  simply  exalts  this 
kind  of  action  and  its  effects.  Each  exercise 
increases  the  action  of  some  portions  of  the 
body  more  than  other  portions.  From  each 
may  therefore  be  derived  a specific  therapeutic 
value,  according  as  it  is  desirable  relatively  to 
increase  or  diminish  action  in  different  regions 
of  the  body. 

Now,  in  all  cases  of  chronic  disease  there 
are  presented  conditions  to  which  these  facts 
pertaining  to  motion  correspond.  There  is  de- 
ficiency of  physiological  motion,  as  well  as  of 
the  conditions  for  its  spontaneous  supply.  The 
property  of  motion  to  become  converted  into 
other  forms  of  force  whose  presence  is  needed 
to  perfect  vital  operations,  is  one  of  the  utmost 
importance  in  therapeutics.  Exterior  aid  can, 
through  this  property,  be  employed  to  perfect 
physiological  endeavor,  therefore,  to  restore 
health.  It  need  not  be  said  that  the  applica- 
tion of  vibratory  motion  to  delicate  and  sensi- 
tive parts  might  prove  injurious.  The  contrary 
assertion  would  deny  the  possession  of  curative 


ACTIVE  AND  SEMI-ACTIVE  MOVEMENTS.  67 

power.  The  advantage  of  all  power  resides 
only  in  its  discreet  use.  The  value  of  a drug  is 
closely  connected  with  the  fact  that  it  becomes 
poisonous  in  some  doses  and  under  some  cir- 
cumstances. It  is  exactly  so  with  force  in  vi- 
bratory as  in  other  forms.  Injurious  effects 
only  proclaim  a wrong  use  of  any  agency,  and 
the  unfitness  of  the  prescriber. 

The  adaptation  of  remedies  demands  most 
thorough  acquaintance  with  disease  ; its  special 
form  and  nature,  its  degree  of  progress,  the 
constitution  of  the  patient,  the  capacity  of  the 
system,  and  the  relation  of  the  parts  to  each 
other ; it  also  demands  a thorough  knowledge 
of  the  nature  and  powers  of  the  remedy. 
Deficiency  in  any  particular  is  sure  to  render 
treatment  either  useless  or  positively  injurious ; 
the  remedial  use  of  motion  is  by  no  means  an 
exception. 


ACTIVE  AND  SEMI- ACTIVE  MOVEMENTS. 

Other  movements  than  the  vibratory  are 
of  indispensable  service  in  most  cases  for  the 
treatment  of  loss  of  muscular  and  nervous 
power.  For  while,  as  a general  rule,  it  is  of 


68 


QUALITIES  OF  MOVEMENTS. 


tlie  utmost  importance  to  husband  the  limited 
nerve-power  by  restricting  its  expenditure,  yet 
it  is  sometimes  necessary  to  direct  this  power 
into  the  extremities.  By  vibration  the  organic 
activities  are  so  aroused  that  more  power  seems 
to  be  generated ; and  it  has  been  found  that 
the  volition  can  be  put  forth  with  greater  ease 
and  effect.  Actions  of  this  kind  serve  to  extend 
the  influence  of  the  will  to  the  extremities,  and 
so  to  aid  in  regaining  lost  control  over  the 
muscles. 

The  utmost  caution  is  necessary  in  the  use  of 
voluntary  exercises  that  they  be  not  too  vigor- 
ous or  too  frequently  repeated.  Errors  in  this 
respect  are  often  committed  by  persons  who 
have  failed  to  master  the  principles  of  the 
treatment  by  motion  and  force,  and  who, 
therefore,  can  only  imitate  the  methods  I have 
devised . Understanding  that  motion  is  the 
form  of  the  remedy  employed,  they  proceed  to 
make  large  and  exhaustive  demands  on  the 
will  of  their  patients.  They  can  only  sadly 
fail  in  cases  of  real  disease  and  of  delicate 
constitutions,  much  to  the  detriment  of  cor- 
rect practice.  When  the  power  of  the  nerve- 
centers  is  quickly  exhausted,  it  is  tolerably 


ACTIVE  AND  SEMI-ACTIVE  MOVEMENTS.  69 


certain  that  this  power  is  only  slowly  and 
with  difficulty  replenished,  and  that  it  is  the 
replenishing  rather  than  the  exhausting  pro- 
cess which  demands  assistance.  Even  slight 
indiscretions  in  the  use  of  voluntary  action 
will  sometimes  re-excite  the  morbid  process 
which  was  the  original  disease.  Why  this 
effect  may  ensue  is  easily  understood.  For 
while,  in  health,  the  nerves  and  muscles  act 
equally,  they  are  supplied  with  nutrition  to 
sustain  their  action  in  corresponding,  that  is, 
equal  ratio.  But  in  disease  the  nerve-action 
is  disproportionate  to  muscular  action,  caus- 
ing also  disproportionate  distribution  of  blood- 
supply,  and  congestion  of  the  nerve-centers  is 
produced  or  continued,  as  the  case  may  be. 

It  should  be  said,  however,  that  in  practice 
there  are  circumstances  which  modify  the  oc- 
currence of  results  so  grave.  Among  them 
are  the  coincident  restriction  of  the  power  of 
the  will,  denying  action  to  the  nerve -centers, 
also  the  subsidence  of  the  hypersemia  of  the 
nerve  - centers , and  the  substitution  therefor 
of  some  of  the  morbid  products  disclosed  by 
post  - mortem  examinations. 

The  undesired  effects  of  voluntary  exercise 


70 


CONTROL  OF  EXPENDITURE. 


in  these  cases  of  restricted  power,  may  be 
avoided  by  using  appropriate  means  to  con- 
trol expenditure.  A sure  method  of  exercis- 
ing control  is  to  move  the  affected  extremity 
by  the  hands  of  assistants  in  such  a way  as  to 
allow  the  invalid  only  a limited  participation 
in  the  action.  While  this  is  safe  and  useful 
for  the  patient,  it  is  too  fatiguing  to  the  assist- 
ants to  be  of  very  much  account. 


PABALYSI8  AND  NEURALGIA  DUE  TO  A VARIETY 
OF  DISEASED  CONDITIONS. 

The  curative  effect  of  vibratory  and  special 
movements  in  paralysis,  neuralgia,  and  other 
affections  of  the  nervous  system,  is  manifestly 
due  to  the  extraordinary  control  attained  by 
these  operations  over  all  the  primary  actions, 
and  especially  the  nutritive.  Were  this  not 
the  case,  the  remedy  would  be  circumscribed 
in  its  curative  effects  to  a very  limited  sphere, 
as  is  that  of  a drug. 

The  different  degrees  and  forms  of  paralysis 
and  other  nervous  affections  are  in  themselves 
only  symptoms  and  effects ; they  are  referable 
to  a multitude  of  causes,  but  not  to  any  uni- 
form and  specific  cause. 


PARALYSIS  AND  NEURALGIA. 


71 


jNerve-functioii  consists  of  two  branches — 
tile  evolution  of  iierve-poAver,  and  the  conduc- 
tion cf  nerve-power.  All  causes,  however 
diverse,  which  restrain  or  prevent  the  evolution 
of  nerve-power  at  its  central  source  ; and  all 
causes  which  restrain  or  prevent  the  conduc- 
tion of  nerve-power  along  its  prescribed  chan- 
nels, whether  the  function  be  motor  or  sensory, 
■v\dll  be  attended  by  paralysis  as  the  necessary 
consequence. 

So,  also,  all  derangement  in  the  manifesta- 
tion of  sensory  power  will  be  accompanied  by 
sensations  of  an  abnormal,  and  generally  of  a 
painful  kind,  and  this  constitutes  neuralgia. 

It  hence  appears  that  paralysis  and  nervous 
affections  in  general  have  not  that  specific 
character  that  is  assignable  to  many  forms  of 
disease,  and  that  while  the  ultimate  cause  must 
lie  in  perverted  nutrition,  their  intermediate 
and  direct  causes  are  multiform.  Among 
tliese,  physicians  are  cognizant  of  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Inflammations,  abscesses,  and  tumors,  aris- 
ing in  the  immediate  proximity  of  a nerve- 
conductor,  may  afford  such  pressure  upon  it 
as  to  interrupt  its  function  and  destroy  or  mod- 


72 


PEKIPHEEAL  PAKAEYSIS. 


ify  its  conducting  power.  The  parts  to  which 
a nerve  so  affected  leads  will  become  paralyzed, 
or  will  suffer  pain,  according  to  the  degree  of 
pressure.  There  also  are  cases  in  which  the 
conducting  nerve  does  not  readily  resume  its 
function  even  after  the  original  obstruction  is 
removed.  This  is  peripheral  paralysis. 

Compression  of  Spinal  Cord  or  Brain,  from 
Effused  Fluid.— or  watery  fluids  may 
be  too  abundantly  secreted  by  the  arachnoid 
membrane  which  incloses  the  central  nerves. 
The  pressure  thus  produced  will  wholly  or 
partly  suspend  the  functions  of  these  nerves. 
Loss  of  power — paralysis — and  deranged  sen- 
sations will  be  the  consequence. 

Degeneration  of  the  Central  Nerves  hy  Soft- 
ening. — The  power-evolving  tissue  looses  its 
texture,  becomes  soft,  and  ceases  to  be  of 
proper  consistency  or  to  be  normally  renewed, 
and  nerve-force  is  consequently  no  longer  gen- 
erated. This  form  of  degeneration  is  one  of  the 
consequences  of  imperfect  nutrition.  Paraly- 
sis is  coextensive  with  this  morbid  change. 

Change  of  Structure. — The  nerve-tissue  oi 
substance  is  displaced  at  points  by  another 
formation— a hard  whitish  substance — called 


CONGESTION. 


73 


sclerosis.  By  this  change  the  generation  and 
conduction  of  nerve-power,  both,  motor  and 
sensory,  are  precluded. 

Embolus. — Coagnla  of  blood  sometimes  ob- 
struct branches  of  the  nutritive  vessels  of  the 
central  nerves,  and  thus  deprive  the  power- 
generating tissue  of  its  nutrition.  These  coag’- 
ula  doubtless  begin  as  minute  points  and 
increase  by  accretion.  Paralysis  of  the  parts 
connected  by  nerves  with  the  centers  thus  im- 
poverished is  the  consequence.  The  function 
of  the  brain  may  also  be  deranged  by  a some- 
what allied  afiection  consisting  of  an  expansion 
of  some  vessel. 

Congestion. — In  many  cases  of  neuralgia, 
congestion  of  some  portion  of  the  nerve-centers 
or  conductors  undoubtedly  exists.  There  is 
also  abundant  evidence  that  congestion  is  pre- 
cedent to,  and  coexists  with,  those  special 
morbid  conditions  of  the  nerve-centers  from 
which  paralysis  results.  Effectually  to  pre- 
vent and  remove  congestion  is  therefore  equiv- 
alent to  removing  paralysis. 

Local  Adventitious  Matters. — There  doubt- 
less occur  various  products  of  waste  and  of 
imperfect  nutrition  which  have  never  been 


74 


CAUSES  OF  PARALYSIS. 


isolated  and  named.  The  conditions  for  the 
existence  of  such  products  consist  of  deficient 
activity  in  the  processes  of  oxidation  and 
venous  absorption.  The  pressure  of  such 
matters  upon,  and  their  contact  with,  the 
power-generating  nerve-substances  must  ob- 
struct vital  function  and  cause  paralysis  and 
neuralgia. 

Toxic  Elements. — ISTearly  allied  to  the  above 
is  the  spontaneous  occurrence  of  blood-poisons. 
That  the  peculiar  characteristics  of  many 
chronic  diseases  are  due  to  this  cause  is  ex- 
tremely probable ; and  there  is  no  obvious 
reason  for  making  chronic  nervous  disease  an 
exception.  That  other  forms  of  spontaneous 
blood-poisoning  exist  besides  the  universally 
recognized  one  of  urcemia.,  is  matter  of  legiti- 
mate inference.  Those  toxic  principles  which 
are  conceded  to  be  the  basis  of  the  acute  erup- 
tive diseases,  should  have  their  analogues  in 
the  slowly  developing  or  chronic  affections. 
That  the  effects  of  these  causes  would  be  most 
conspicuous  in  the  nerve-centers  is  naturally 
inferred  from  the  sensitiveness  of  this  portion 
of  the  organism.  This  suggestion  accords  with 
our  experience  in  producing  transient  blood- 


HOW  PARALYSIS  OCCURS. 


75 


poisoning  by  certain  drugs.  In  a deranged 
and  morbid  condition  of  the  nutritive  system 
there  is  a continuous  supply  of  morbid  prod- 
ucts, capable  of  deranging  the  action  of  nerve- 
centers  in  various  ways,  according  to  the 
composition  and  quality  of  these  unnamed 
products. 


HOW  PABALYSm  OCCURS,  AND  HOW  REMOVED. 

We  are  now  enabled  to  understand  the  mode 
of  origin  of  paralysis  and  other  nervous  affec- 
tions. Such  affections  are  the  consequences  of 
certain  proximate  causes,  a part  of  which  are 
above  enumerated ; these,  again,  are  the  prod- 
ucts of  radical  causes,  related  in  some  way  to 
the  development,  sustenance,  and  destruction 
of  the  elemental  vital  form,  which  serves  as  the 
instrument  of  nervous  power.  It  is  plain  that 
the  real  and  radical  remedy  for  nervous  disease 
must  reach  both  the  proximate  and  the  ulti- 
mate causes,  or  only  imperfect  relief  is  found. 

It  is  not  enough  that  the  extremity  or  other 
paralyzed  part  be  stimulated  to  act  by  medic- 
inal or  even  mechanical  stimulants.  Such 
action  can  be  maintained  only  by  power  ema- 


76 


NATURE  OF  CURE. 


Rating  from  a source  back  of  the  point  where 
it  is  exhibited.  Action  is  of  no  account  unless 
it  has  its  origin  in  the  centers  designated  for  its 
evolution.  The  power  stimulating  the  muscles 
must  be  vital,  and  can  arise  from  no  other 
conditions  than  those  which  support  vitality. 


THE  GONNEOTION  OF  VIBRATORY  AND  OTHER 
MOVEMENTS  WITH  THE  RESTORATION  OF 
NERVOVS  POWER. 

The  conditions  for  recovery  consist  in  the 
removal  of  impediments  to  normal  action,  and 
the  supply  of  power  in  the  direction  of  physi- 
ological activity.  The  physiological  channels 
and  mechanical  methods  through  which  these 
purposes  are  accomplished  by  motion  have 
already  been  detailed.  The  application  of 
these  principles  to  special  classes  of  paralytic 
and  other  nervous  diseases  is  readily  made. 
For  example : 

In  spontaneous  blood-poisoning,  and  in  case 
of  adventitious  substance  in  contact  with 
nerve-tissue,  the  influence  on  the  generation 
of  nerve-power  can  only  be  annulled  by  the 
removal  of  the  painful  matters  by  oxidation. 


KESTORATION  OF  NERVOUS  POWER.  77 


They  occur  only  because  of  the  incompleteness 
of  the  oxidizing  function,  and  remedies  afford 
no  complete  substitute.  The  oxidizing  function 
is  readily  exalted  simply  by  securing  more  en- 
ergetic contact  of  oxidizable  matters  with  this 
element.  Such  contact  is  rapidly  and  thor- 
oughly secured  by  vibratory  motion.  This 
purpose  is  further  assisted  by  CTiltivating  the 
power  of  the  respiratory  organs  through  in- 
creased action  of  the  muscles  of  the  chest. 
That  the  effect  sought  is  secured  soon  becomes 
evident  upon  the  application  of  the  appropriate 
movements. 

Congestion,  whether  of  the  head  or  spine,  is 
removed  by  leading  the  blood  away  from  the 
congested  region,  in  connection  with  stimula- 
ting and  strengthening  the  contractility  of 
the  weakened  vessels.  The  revulsive  effects  of 
vibration  and  special  movements  are  particu- 
Jarly  efficacious  in  diverting  and  correcting  the 
course  of  the  circulation  in  the  larger  vessels  ; 
while  the  direct  effect  of  the  same  causes  in 
refreshing  the  blood  in  the  capillary  vessels 
furnishes  a new  and  important  addition  to  ther- 
apeutic resources. 

The  pressure  of  effused  fluids  upon  the  nerve- 


78 


KEMOVAL  OF  OOISTGESTION. 


centers  is  removed  only  by  promoting  tlieir 
absorption.  By  causing  tbe  blood  to  flow  more 
freely  in  its  vessels,  the  physical  condition  for 
transfer  of  fluids  is  supplied.  Effusion  can 
take  place  only  when  the  circulating  fluids  are 
stagnant.  Every  physical  impulse  received 
from  without  by  the  capillaries  urges  their 
contents  forward.  This  aids  the  removal  of 
impediments  in  the  circulation,  and  therefore 
aids  absorption.  This  impulse  and  action  are 
fully  supplied  by  vibratory  motion. 

Even  if  the  effused  material  be  blood,  the 
chance  for  its  complete  removal  by  absorption 
is  greatly  increased  by  the  vigor  afforded  that 
act  through  the  influence  of  vibratory  motion. 

In  cases  of  degeneration  and  of  hardening  of 
sections  of  the  central  nerve-substance,  the 
same  agency  induces  effective  restorative  ac- 
tion. Remedial  indications  call  for  the  correc- 
tion of  the  process  whereby  morbid  change  was 
produced  in  order  to  correct  the  effect.  This 
remedy,  however,  muII  produce  local  as  well  as 
general  effects.  It  has  been  repeatedly  proved 
that  scrofulous  enlargements  and  glandular 
swellings  disappear  under  the  judicious  use  of 
vibratory  and  other  movements  ; and  it  will  be 


RESTOEATION  OF  NERVOUS  POWER.  79 


seen  that  cases  of  paralysis  which  are  ration- 
ally referable  to  altered  structure  are  restored 
under  the  influence  of  the  same  curative  means. 

Coagula  in  vessels  are  possible  only  because 
the  general  conditions  for  the  support  of  vital- 
ity fail.  The  motion  which  fructifies  and  sup- 
ports the  vital  endeavor  at  other  points  would 
be  the  most  rational  means  of  preventing  the 
occurrence  of  this  kind  of  mechanical  impedi- 
ment in  the  circulation.  Besides,  the  tendency 
of  vigorous  motion  would  necessarily  be  to 
break  up  and  reduce  to  its  elements  such  me- 
chanical impediments  after  they  have  formed, 
and  thus  serve  as  the  most  promising  of  all 
remedies  for  this  cause  of  paralysis. 

Paralysis  and  neuralgia  produced  by  chronic 
inflammation  of  contiguous  tissues  of  course 
subside  on  the  removal  of  the  cause.  The 
rationale  of  the  cure  of  chronic  inflammation 
has  already  been  explained.  The  effect  of  the 
treatment  by  vibratory  and  special  movements 
in  nervous  disease  arising  from  this  cause  is 
more  open  to  observations  than  in  the  other 
cases  named,  and  is  therefore  more  immediate- 
ly satisfactory  to  both  physician  and  patient. 


APPLICATION  OP  THE  FOREGOING 


THERAPEUTIC  PRINCIPLES. 



Having  examined  tlie  modes  of  action,  the 
effects  and  curative  power  of  vibratory  and 
special  movements,  we  are  now  prepared  to 
inquire  into  the  results  of  their  practical  ap- 
plication in  cases  of  nerve-disease. 


GEREBBAL  CONGESTION. 

Fullness  of  the  head,  when  habitual,  is  of 
itself  a serious  affection,  and  ordinarily  diffi- 
cult to  remove.  When  considered  as  the 
necessary  preliminary  of  a series  of  diseased 
conditions  which  ultimate  in  paralysis,  it  be- 
comes a matter  of  the  utmost  significance. 

There  can  be  no  disagreement  regarding  the 
needs  of  cases  belonging  to  this  class.  The 
first  and  most  imperative  one  is  the  withdrawal 
of  the  surplus  blood  from  the  head,  and  its 
distribution  to  parts  evidently  suftering  defi- 


CEREBRAL  CONGESTION.  81 

ciency.  Even  if  there  be  suspected  disease  of 
the  arterial  walls,  which  of  course  implies  the 
worst  consequences,  the  indications  are  not 
changed  ; nothing  can  be  proposed  of  more 
promise  than  the  removal  of  the  undue  arterial 
pressure,  as  the  condition  for  the  restoration  of 
the  integrity  and  contractile  power  of  the  arte- 
rial walls,  upon  which  everything  depends. 

Two  things  are  required  to  secure  the  ends 
proposed  : the  kind  and  degree  of  action  which 
shall  cause  the  blood  to  flow  freely  to  the 
extremities,  and  to  become  permanently  em- 
ployed in  supplying  nutrition  to  the  tissues  ; 
and  the  kind  and  degree  of  action  which  fruc- 
tifles  arterial  nutrition,  and  strengthens  these 
minute  but  ail  - important  vessels.  The  re- 
markable influence  attainable  by  vibratory 
and  special  movements  over  the  circulation  in 
the  larger  as  well  as  in  the  minute  vessels  when 
freely  brought  into  requisition  is  easily  tested, 
and  their  power  to  afford  renewed  energy  to 
defective  parts  may  be  implicitly  relied  on,  as 
the  following  case  will  show ; 

Mrs.  B.,  aged  forty- three,  of  full  habit,  with 
short  neck,  large  head,  and  much  color  of  face, 
bordering  on  purple,  had  been  for  several  years 


82 


CONTROL  OF  CIRCULATION. 


engaged  in  business  which  required  severe 
tension  of  the  calculating  faculties.  She  be- 
came affected  with  cerebral  symptoms  of 
increasing  severity.  These  consisted  of  a feel- 
ing of  pressure  in  the  head,  accompanied  with 
intolerable  headache.  These  symptoms  had 
irregular  periods  of  aggravation,  when  she 
would  be  confined  to  her  bed,  dizzy  at  the  least 
movement,  eyes  injected  and  intolerant  of 
light,  and  voluntary  power  diminished  and 
often  temporarily  lost.  Her  feet  were  always 
cold ; no  means  had  suflS.ced  to  maintain  even 
a comfortable  temperature. 

For  more  than  a year  she  had  been  under 
the  watchful  and  interested  care  of  an  eminent 
physician.  But,  unfortunately,  medicine  sup- 
plies no  adequate , certainly  no  permanent , 
remedy  for  mal-distribution  of  the  circulation. 
Ordinary  revulsives  and  derivatives  are  lim- 
ited to  local  and  temporary  effects,  and  the  in- 
sidious changes  going  forward  in  the  cerebral 
structures  proceed  to  their  fatal  termination, 
with  scarcely  any  interruption  from  medical 
effects.  Atheroma,  thrombus,  and  effusion, 
affections  leading  to  fatal  consequences,  must 
have  their  commencement  in  local  defect  in 


CEREBRAL  CONGESTION. 


83 


the  power  of  the  vessels,  and  in  sluggish  local 
circulation.  This  local  condition  depends  as 
much  on  the  use  other  parts  make  of  the 
circulation  as  the  parts  specially  suffering. 
The  blood  must  be  transferred  to  vital  regions 
far  beyond,  in  order  that  the  threatened  region 
may  heal.  In  the  present  case,  the  frequent 
transient  loss  of  power  and  consciousness  con- 
stantly threatened  to  assume  a fatal  form. 

In  this  condition  she  came  under  my  charge. 
Appropriate  movements  were  applied  to  the 
extremities  first,  and  to  other  portions  of  the 
body  in  due  order.  These  operations  from  the 
first  afforded  her  relief,  and  very  soon  she  felt 
an  assurance  that  the  cause  of  her  suffering 
was  passing  away.  After  four  weeks,  having 
had  none  of  the  former  exacerbations,  and 
being  quite  free  of  all  unpleasant  symptoms, 
the  treatment  was  suspended. 

A few  weeks  later,  on  the  recurrence  of  a 
slight  premonition  of  her  old  malady,  she  re- 
turned for  a short  period,  and  the  result  of 
treatment  was  complete  success,  since  which 
she  has  remained  well. 

It  will,  perhaps,  be  said  that  there  was  no 
lesion  in  tliis  case  to  prevent  recovery.  To 


84 


KESULT  OP  TREATMENT. 


this  it  may  be  replied  that  similar  cases  are 
often  hopeless  from  the  beginning ; that  it  can 
not  be  certainly  known  Jxist  what  degree  of 
change  in  the  substance  of  an  organ  is  required 
to  constitute  lesion.  Besides,  we  are  Justified, 
from  the  proved  efficacy  of  the  means  employed 
where  the  parts  are  open  to  observation,  in  the 
inference  that  reparation  of  serious  injury  may 
and  often  does  transpire  under  the  favorable 
circumstances  presented. 


SCIATICA. 

This  form  of  nervous  disease,  usually  only 
ameliorated  by  medication,  and  by  the  exter- 
nal application  of  stimulants  and  irritants,  is 
entirely  amenable  to  the  treatment  by  vibra- 
tory with  other  movements.  It  is  probable 
that  the  two  effects  of  revulsion  are  brought 
into  use  in  these  cases.  The  powerful  agita- 
tion of  the  extremity  calls  blood  into  it,  and 
simultaneously  diminishes  the  fullness  of  the 
capillaries  of  the  lower  segment  of  the  spinal 
cord  and  of  the  plexus,’  in  which  the  sciatic 
nerve  originates,  and  from  which  it  derives 
its  power,  thus  restoring  the  nerve  - centers. 


SCIATICA. 


85 


At  the  same  time  the  muscular  action  and 
nutrition  of  the  affected  limb  is  increased  by 
the  same  cause,  which  also  inevitably  restores 
the  balance  between  the  muscle  and  nerve ; 
congestion  of  the  nerve  and  its  pain  are  simul- 
taneously removed. 

This  statement  of  the  principles  of  cure  is 
fully  corroborated  by  facts . An  organ  or 
extremity  suffering  neuralgic  pain  diminishes 
in  size.  This  indicates  that  the  morbid  and 
intense  nerve  - action,  which  constitutes  pain, 
is  supported  at  the  expense  of  muscular  nu- 
trition. When  the  latter  is  restored  by  any 
adequate  means,  the  muscular  growth  and 
action  are  restored,  while  the  pain  no  longer 
continues. 

The  same  principle  of  restoration  is  found 
equally  effective  in  practice,  when  applied  in 
case  of  neuralgia  of  the  arms,  or  indeed  any 
portion  of  the  body.  The  following  is  an  av- 
erage case  illustrating  the  access,  progress, 
and  cure  of  sciatica: 

Mr.  N.,  of  this  city,  aged  about  forty-five, 
had  suffered  more  than  a year  with  sciatic 
pain  of  the  left  leg.  He  attributed  its  origin 
to  harassing  business  perplexities,  being  a mer- 


86 


CURE  OF  NEURALGIA. 


cliant  engaged  at  that  time  in  an  unsettled 
branch  of  trade.  Though  the  pain  was  nearly 
constant,  it  fluctuated  greatly  in  degree.  The 
greatest  suffering  was  at  night.  He  was  com- 
pelled to  rise  from  his  bed,  rub  his  limb  with 
his  hands,  and  walk  the  room  for  relief,  several 
times  during  the  night.  He  had  been  treated 
by  the  usual  methods,  including  electricity  and 
rubbing  applied  by  well-known  physicians, 
but  only  temporary  relief  was  attained.  He 
placed  himself  under  my  care  in  the  fall  of 
1869.  The  afflicted  leg  was  shrunken  in  size, 
the  flesh  soft  and  flabby,  exhibiting  a very 
strong  contrast  with  its  fellow.  The  treat- 
ment, as  usual,  was  adjusted  with,  reference  to 
increasing  the  muscular  nutrition  of  the  limb, 
while  it  should  diminish  the  hyperaemia  of  the 
lower  segment  of  the  spinal  cord.  The  patient 
was  required  to  do  nothing,  while  energetic 
molecular  activity  was  aroused  in  the  extremi- 
ties, the  unaffected  as  well  as  the  affected  one. 
Experience  has  shown  that  to  secure  the  first 
described  effect  of  revulsion,  it  is  much  better 
to  produce  excitement  in  both  limbs  than  in 
one.  At  the  same  time  the  limbs  were  exten- 
sively stimulated  by  appropriate  mechanical 


PARALYSIS. 


87 


processes.  In  doing  all  this,  care  was  taken 
not  to  engage  the  action  of  the  will  power  in 
the  affected  leg  beyond  a very  moderate  degree. 

The  whole  body  was  included  in  similar  oper- 
ations, both  because  the  whole  system  labored 
under  some  defect,  which,  precipitated  upon  a 
particular  nerve,  caused  the  manifestation  of 
the  disease,  and  also  because,  in  applying 
treatment,  it  is  important  to  success  that  the 
circulatory,  nervous,  and  nutritive  activities 
should  be  thoroughly  equalized.  A single 
application  of  these  processes  caused  decided 
amelioration  of  pain.  This  effect  increased 
with  each  subsequent  operation.  After  three 
weeks,  the  habit  of  wakefulness  with  which 
he  had  been  so  long  afflicted  was  broken  up, 
and  he  could  rely  upon  good  rest  through 
the  night.  He  continued  the  treatment  two 
months , when  the  need  for  it  disappeared 
altogether,  being  quite  restored  to  health. 


PABALY8IS. 

All  forms  of  paralysis  afford  the  severest  test 
of  the  efficacy  of  remedies.  The  reason  of  the 
difficulty  of  conferring  any  benefit  in  these 


88 


DEFICIEiNTT  KNOWLEDGE. 


cases  often  arises  from  mistaken  endeavors  of 
the  physician . He  is  inclined  to  dally  with 
effects,  the  products  of  disease,  instead  of 
strengthening  the  vital  power  in  every  tissue, 
and  perfecting  the  blood  making  process,  upon 
which  all  power  so  much  depends.  Even  if 
the  latter  be  the  physician’s  purpose,  he  is 
generally  not  sufficiently  cautious  in  choosing 
his  remedies ; for,  in  case  of  paralysis,  the  na- 
ture of  the  affection  is  such  as  to  require  their 
prolonged  use.  If  such  remedies  be  employed 
as  would  prove  injurious  to  the  healthy,  they 
must  be  much  more  so  in  case  the  vital  power 
is  insufficient  to  protect  against  their  pathogen- 
etic effects.  However  flattering  their  first  e!fects 
may  be,  their  prolonged  employment  will  serve 
but  to  weaken  and  destroy  the  little  remaining 
chance  for  recovery.  The  continued  use  of 
medical  stimulants  for  the  spinal  cord  is, 
therefore,  to  be  deprecated. 

Many  physicians,  though  perhaps  not  fully 
agreeing  with  the  statements  above  made,  yet 
practically  adopt  the  principle.  This  is  proved 
by  their  having  recourse  to  the  remedial  use  of 
force  in  the  form  of  electricity^  thus  acknowl- 
edging the  insufficiency  of  ordinary  remedies. 


PARALYSIS. 


89 


and  the  probability  of  finding  in  some  form  or 
application  of  .force  the  adequate  aid  for  the 
vital  endeavors.  Even  in  the  use  of  this  agent 
the  same  practical  error  is  not  unfrequently 
committed.  Paralytics  often  entertain  singular 
ideas  as  to  the  nature  of  their  disease.  The}’" 
seem  to  regard  disease  and  pain  as  something 
synonymous.  They  declare  themselves  to  be 
perfectly  well,  except  some  extremity  which  is 
useless,  and  assume  that  that  part  only  requires 
treatment.  It  is  often  difficult  for  them  fo 
understand  that  the  grand  purpose  of  the  body 
is  to  yield  power,  and  that  all  deficiency  of  this 
product  indicates  defect  in  the  process,  which 
is  quite  the  same  thing  as  ill  health.  Nearly 
all  cases  of  paralysis  are  benefited  by  the  treat- 
ment of  vibratory  and  other  movements.  The 
following  is  a good  illustration  of  the  result 
attained  in  this  disease : 

Miss  Y.  was  twenty -four  years  old  when 
brought  to  me  from  a neighboring  city.  Her 
disease  began  five  years  before  with  typhoid 
fever,  accompanied  with  spinal  meningitis, 
which  lasted  several  weeks.  She  only  partially 
recovered  from  the  effects  of  this  illness ; for 
though  she  acquired  the  ability  to  walk,  her 


90 


PROGEESS  OF  CURE. 


power  to  do  so  diminished, instead  of  increased, 
and  in  less  than  a year  she  lost  all  control  of 
her  lower  extremities.  She  suffered  no  pain, 
except  occasionally  in  the  loins,  which  was 
accompanied  with  a sensation  of  heat.  Her 
disability  was  such  that  her  only  mode  of  loco- 
motion was  the  wheel-chair  often  used  by  this 
class  of  invalids.  Crutches  were  of  no  use  to 
her ; she  could  stand  only  by  being  held  in  the 
upright  position  by  assistants.  Sensation  was 
entirely  absent  from  the  knees  to  the  feet ; up- 
ward there  was  a gradual  increase  of  sensibility 
to  the  loins,  above  which  it  was  perfect ; the 
control  of  the  sphincters  was  incomplete. 

The  vibratory  action  was  applied  freely  to 
the  feet  and  legs  first,  afterward  in  succession 
to  all  other  parts  of  the  body.  This  operation 
was  continued,  with  suitable  intervals  of  rest, 
two  or  three  hours  daily.  Little  fatigue  was 
experienced  from  these  applications,  but  rather 
a tendency  to  quietude  and  sleep.  Increase  of 
temperature  of  the  extremities  is  always  pro- 
duced ; in  the  present  case  it  was  sadly  needed, 
though  she  was  not  sensible  of  the  constant 
coldness  of  her  feet  and  legs.  Symptoms  of 
inci’ease  of  power  soon  followed  the  restoration 


J-ARALYSIS. 


91 


of  natural  heat.  Occasionally,  the  sensation  of 
heat  in  the  loins  was  subdued  by  the  applica- 
tion of  the  ice-hag  for  an  hour  over  this  partic- 
ular region  of  the  back.  Encouraged  by  slow 
but  constant  improvement,  the  treatment  was 
kept  up  four  months.  At  the  end  of  this  time 
she  was  able  to  walk  about  the  house,  assisted 
by  a cane,  and  the  presence  of  an  attendant. 
In  this  condition  she  went  to  her  home  for  the 
summer.  In  October  she  returned,  having 
made  some  progress  in  the  interval.  Resuming 
the  treatment  as  before,  with  such  additions  as 
her  increased  strengtli  allowed,  her  progress 
was  more  rapid ; she  was  soon  able  to  make 
short  excursions  on  the  street,  assisted  by  her 
cane  and  attendant.  At  the  end  of  another 
four  months  the  sensation  and  motion  of  her 
limbs  had  so  far  recovered  as  to  afford  to  ordi- 
nary observers  no  intimation  of  any  defects, 
except  that  her  steps  were  slow  and  measured. 
In  the  course  of  the  succeeding  year  she  re- 
turned again,  and  received  treatment  three 
months.  At  the  end  of  this  time  there  was 
nothing  wanting  in  sensation,  motion,  or 
liealth.  She  was  soon  married,  and  has  con- 
tinued well,  not  only  able  to  engage  in  the 


92 


PERSEVERANCE  REWARDED. 


ordinary  occupations,  exercises,  and  enjoy- 
ments of  life,  but  thinks  nothing  of  walking 
two  miles  upon  the  street  at  one  time.  In  fact, 
she  is  able  to  walk  farther  and  endure  more, 
with  less  fatigue  and  no  disagreeable  conse- 
quences, than  the  average  of  ladies  who  con- 
sider themselves  well. 

This  lady’s  case  affords  an  excellent  test 
of  the  value  of  other  medical  resources  for 
paralytics,  compared  with  force,  as  vibratory 
motion.  For  five  years  she  was  undergoing 
different  kinds  of  medical  treatment.  During 
the  first  portion  of  this  period  she  did  not  stray 
beyond  the  ordinary  range  of  the  physician’s 
resources ; afterwards  she  resorted  to  such 
special  means  as  electricity,  then  Turkish  baths, 
etc.  These  different  methods  gave  her  some 
encouragement,  but  none  had  made  a real  im- 
pression on  her  disease  ; and  she  remained  as 
helpless  as  before,  and  came  to  me  with  no  hope 
of  a radical  and  permanent  cure. 

The  favorable  result  attained  in  her  case,  and 
attainable  in  multitudes  of  similar  cases,  is 
plainly  due  to  the  greater  relevancy  and  ampli- 
tude of  the  curative  means.  Neither  unaided 
nature,  nor  the  usual  resoiu’ces,  could  secure 


PARAPLEGIA,  AFTER  MENTAL  WORK.  93 


SO  tliorough  and  constant  revulsion  from  the 
spinal  cord  ; none  could  impart  to  the  nutritive 
forces,  which  form  the  basis  of  all  power,  the 
requisite  nutritive  energy.  These  indications 
are,  however,  liberally  met  by  the  judicious 
application  of  movements. 

It  is  important  to  remark,  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  paralytic  invalids,  that  less  persever- 
ance would  have  attained  less,  perhaps  no 
reward.  If  she  had  become  discouraged  at  the 
end  of  two  or  three  or  four  months,  as  many 
afflicted  in  this  way  are  inclined  to  be,  the  re- 
sult would  have  been  entirely  negative 


PARAPLEGIA,  AFTER  EXCESSIVE  MENTAL  WORK. 

It  is  jirobable  that  in  sudden  attacks  of 
paralysis,  a precedent  condition  conducive  to 
it,  existed.  The  nutritive  vessels  of  the  brain 
or  spinal  cord  are  in  such  condition  of  disease 
as  to  render  a full  attack  inevitable.  The  cir- 
cumstance to  which  the  attack  is  referred  is  the 
occasion  for  developing,  rather  than  initiating, 
the  disease.  Sooner  or  later  an  attack  would 
be  inevitable,,  unless  those  habits  of  life  which 
insidiously  but  certainly  undermine  the  general 


94 


CASE  OF  PARALYSIS. 


and  local  health  are  radically  changed.  There 
are  always  causes  for  disease  of  the  nerves, 
traceable  far  back  of  the  symptoms,  and  it  is 
to  these  causes  that  the  physician’ s as  well  as 
patient’ s attention  is  most  earnestly  invited. 

An  instance  now  in  mind  is  that  of  Mr.  M., 
aged  sixty,  who  was,  at  the  time  of  his  attack, 
a clerk  of  a State  legislative  body.  His  duties 
in  this  position  were  and  had  been  extremely 
arduous,  even  requiring  his  attention  so  much 
at  night  as  seriously  to  interfere  with  his  time 
for  sleeping.  After  some  months  of  this  ex- 
cessive strain  on  his  mental  and  bodily  powers, 
he  was  suddenly  struck  down  speechless  and 
nearly  motionless  with  a paralytic  attack 
affecting  the  whole  body,  but  the  lower  extrem- 
ities in  greater  degree,  which  remained  for  sev- 
eral weeks  quite  useless.  He  improved  very 
slowly,  and  at  the  end  of  about  a year  his  gen- 
eral health  was  apparently  good,  the  arms 
were  only  weak,  and  by  the  aid  of  a cane  he 
could  walk  about  after  being  lifted  by  an  as- 
sistant from  his  chair.  The  flexors  of  the  feet, 
however,  had  but  feeble  contractile  power,  and 
sensation  in  the  lower  portion  of  his  legs  was 
nearly  absent ; his  countenance  was  dull  and 


PARAPLEGIA,  AFTER  MENTAL  WORK.  95 


appearance  dejected.  In  this  condition  he 
came  to  me,  having  required  in  his  Journey 
hither  the  aid  of  two  men  to  effect  his  transfer 
to  and  from  the  different  conveyances. 

The  treatment  was  exclusively  by  vibratory 
and  special  movements,  and  was  rapidly  bene- 
ficial. Sensation  returned  to  his  legs,  and  his 
control  over  them  increased  daily.  Vivacity 
returned  to  his  countenance,  and  his  whole 
appearance  improved.  In  three  weeks  ' he 
could  easily  rise  unaided  from  his  chair ; in 
five  Aveeks  there  was  full  return  of  power  and 
feeling  to  his  legs,  but  the  flexors  of  his  feet 
still  acted  tardily,  causing  the  toes  slightly  to 
droop,  but  not  enough  to  be  conspicuous  in 
his  gait.  He  was  fond  of  surprising  those  who 
had  known  his  helplessness,  by  exhibitions  of 
his  agility.  Circumstances  at  this  time  com- 
pelled him  to  return  home,  being  now  able  to 
engage  in  business  pursuits. 

We  can  never  be  so  sure  of  the  exact  nature 
of  the  spinal  affection  from  which  paralysis 
proceeds,  before  the  patient  has  received  treat- 
ment as  afterward.  There  appeared  nothing 
in  the  history  of  this  case,  or  in  its  symptoms, 
to  indicate  that  it  would  not,  under  ordinary 


96  PEOGEESSIVE  NATUEE  OP  DISEASE. 


circumstances,  pursue  the  same  course  of 
gradual  diminution  of  power  that  is  ordinarily 
witnessed  in  similar  cases.  The  rapid  improve- 
ment which  immediately  followed  the  applica- 
tion of  means  adapted  to  remove  local  conges- 
tion and  to  produce  absorption,  proves  that  the 
obstructions  to  the  manifestation  of  nervous 
power  did  not  consist  of  deposits  of  a low  form 
of  organization,  or  of  a material  degree  of  de- 
generation of  the  spinal  centers.  More  time  is 
requisite  to  effect  the  changes  preliminary  to 
recovery  after  morbid  deposits  or  actual  degen- 
eration has  occurred. 

We  do  know,  however,  from  daily- experi- 
ence, that  pathological  states  form  a progress- 
ive series — one  gliding  into  another  for  which 
it  is  the  preliminary,  with  unerring  certainty. 
An  easily  removable  congestion  becomes  duly 
transformed  to  fixed  products,  perhaps  of  low 
organization,  most  difficult  to  liquefy  and 
remove.  We  may  infer  the  nature  and  extent 
of  such  transformation  from  the  greater  or  less 
facility  with  which  the  case  yields  to  appro- 
priate treatment.  If  the  treatment  has  been 
inappropriate — that  is,  does  not  most  power- 
fully antagonize  congestion,  and  produce  the 


GEITEKAL  PARALYSIS. 


97 


other  effects  desired  — our  judgment  is  not 
aided  by  the  result. 


GENEBAL  PARALYBIS. 

Even  elderly  persons  afflicted  with  paralysis 
are  amenable  to  treatment,  and  the  lives  of 
such  may  be  rendered  not  merely  comfortable, 
but  useful  for  a prolonged  period.  Mrs,  E., 
aged  sixty-two,  came  to  me  for  medical  care 
and  treatment  four  months  after  a stroke  of 
paralysis,  affecting  the  whole  system  in  nearly 
equal  degree.  At  this  time  she  was  unable 
either  to  turn  in  bed,  rise  from  a seat,  articu- 
late distinctly,  use  her  hands  to  feed  herself, 
or  her  feet  to  walk.  Every  change  of  position 
required  assistance.  At  times  there  was  great 
difficulty  of  swallowing,  with  spasm  of  the 
throat  and  diaphragm.  Her  symptoms  were 
scarcely  any  better  than  immediately  after  the 
attack. 

Added  to  this  were  other  long-standing  diffi- 
culties. One  lateral  half  of  her  body  was  de- 
fective in  size  and  power,  the  result  of  infantile 
paralysis,  and  had,  through  life,  been  the  seat 
of  much  neuralgic  pain.  The  bodily  weak- 


98 


A CASE  TREATED. 


ness,  or  perhaps  the  consciousness  of  restricted 
power,  reacted  on  the  mind ; she  was  subject  to 
frequent  fits  of  involuntary  sobbing  and  great 
depression  of  spirits,  and  was  quite  as  hopeless 
of  recovery  as  were  her  friends.  The  caprices 
of  fortune  had  borne  heavily  upon  her,  and  as 
a necessary  recourse  she  had  devoted  herself  to 
intellectual  and  literary  labor  with  more  energy 
and  tenacity  than  could  be  healthfully  borne, 
which  was  regarded  as  the  probable  cause  of 
the  precipitation  of  her  attack. 

After  four  or  five  weeks  of  careful  applica- 
tion of  the  varied  forms  of  this  treatment,  act- 
ing upon  the  extremities  and  afterwards  other 
parts  of  the  body,  she  began  to  show  the  de- 
sired evidences  of  improvement.  Her  voice 
returned,  and  she  could  use  her  hands  to  feed 
und  wait  upon  herself.  At  the  end  of  three 
months  she  had  acquired  natural  and  com- 
plete, though  not  vigorous,  control  of  every 
muscle  of  her  body.  Her  mind  became  clear, 
her  hands  resumed  their  cunning,  she  could 
feed  and  wait  upon  herself ; she  cut,  prepared, 
and  made  her  apparel;  her  feet  obeyed  her 
wishes,  and  not  only  bore  her  large,  heavy 
body  over  level  surface,  but  up  long  flights  of 


GENERAL  PARALYSIS, 


99 


stairs  without  assistance.  It  was  inconvenient 
for  her  to  pursue  longer  the  regular  applica- 
tion of  the  treatment,  hut  at  irregular  intervals 
she  resorted  to  my  rooms  for  this  purpose, 
coming  from  her  home ; thus  she  for  a while 
continued  the  improvement  so  well  begun. 
After  two  or  three  months  more  her  strength 
was  so  far  restored  as  to  enable  her  to  engage 
in  usual  female  avocations,  and  to  resume  to 
some  extent  the  exercise  of  her  pen. 

Her  age  is  against  her  ever  regaining  the 
full  vigor  of  middle  life,  even  had  circum- 
stances allowed  her  to  continue  the  treatment 
which  she  greatly  desired.  But  at  this  date, 
nearly  four  years  since  she  came  to  me,  she 
still  enjoys  comfortable  health,  having  lost 
nothing  that  she  had  acquired  while  under 
treatment. 

In  this  case  it  is  probable  that  the  process  of 
restoration  was  simply  that  of  absorption ; or 
at  least  that  absorption  of  effused  fluids  was 
the  foremost  of  the  processes  of  curative  action. 
Vibratory  motion  is  a most  powerful  agency 
for  causing  capillary  action  and  the  return  of 
interstitial  fluids  to  the  circulation.  To  cause 
this  action  is,  in  such  a case,  to  remove  the 


100 


ADVANTAGES  OF  TREATMENT. 


surplus  fluids  in  the  sub  - arachnoid  spaces 
and  the  consequent  pressure,  from  the  brain 
and  spinal  cord. 

The  well -proved  oxidizing  effect  of  vibra- 
tion, and  its  aid  in  sustaining  and  reproducing 
the  wasting  organic  instruments  of  power,  are 
also  to  be  kept  in  mind  in  accounting  for  the 
restoration  of  these  cases. 


HEMIPLEGIA. 

Paralysis  of  one  side  is  regarded  as  pro- 
ceeding from  disease  or  injury  of  the  spinal 
nerve  at  one  side  above  the  parts  where  de- 
fective power  is  manifested.  Paralysis  of  this 
form  may  be  progressive,  or  it  may  occur  sud- 
denly. On  account  of  the  concealed  position 
of  the  seat  of  the  affection  in  the  cerebro- 
spinal axis,  the  exact  nature  of  the  morbid 
change  can  not  be  precisely  known  during  the 
patient’s  life.  While  tiiis  fact  may  render  a 
prognosis  impossible,  it  does  not  in  the  least 
absolve  the  physician  from  his  duty  to  the  in- 
valid with  paralytic  disease. 

The  treatment  by  force  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  motion  affords  peculiar  advan- 


HEMIPLEGIA. 


101 


tages.  While  in  no  degree  hazardous,  differ- 
ing in  this  respect  from  many  spinal  remedies, 
this  remedy  acts  only  in  the  direction  of  health. 
It  almost  without  exception  produces  beneficial 
effects,  even  in  those  cases  which  are  not  des- 
tined to  complete  recovery. 

The  following  case  illustrates  the  beneficial 
effects  of  the  use  of  vibratory  and  other  mo- 
tions in  a case  of  hemiplegia,  referable  to  an 
affection  within  the  cranium : 

Mr.  S.  was  a gentleman  well  known  in  pub- 
lic life,  of  an  extremely  active,  sanguine,  irre- 
pressible temperament,  with  fine  intellectual 
and  superior  oratorical  powers,  and  at  the 
time  he  applied  to  me  for  medical  counsel 
was  aged  fifty-nine.  He  had  been  the  subject 
of  great  extremes  of  excitement  in  the  arena 
of  politics  as  well  as  business,  a thoroughly 
“used-up”  man,  whose  general  appearance 
indicated  twenty  more  years  than  he  had 
seen ; in  short,  one  of  that  class  of  cases  for 
whom  the  physician  expects  least  benefit  from 
his  remedies. 

The  accession  of  his  disease  was  sudden, 
and  affected  the  whole  of  the  right  side.  Per- 
cussion revealed  a dull  tenderness  near  the 


102 


SUFFICIENCY  OF  MOTION. 


"base  of  the  head,  at  the  left  side.  He  could 
walk  a few  rods  with  great  difficulty,  by  giv- 
ing the  affected  leg  a lateral  swing,  having  no 
control  of  the  flexors  of  the  foot,  and  those  of 
the  leg  being  nearly  in  the  same  condition. 
He  was  unable  to  raise  his  right  arm,  and  it 
swung  uselessly  at  his  side.  He  could  not 
move  his  hand  or  fingers,  except,  perhaps,  in 
the  slightest  degree ; they  were  numb  and 
rigid,  and  could  not  be  straightened;  they 
were  much  swollen  from  debility  of  the  ves- 
sels. The  mental  evidences  of  the  affection 
were  prominent.  He  had  often  an  uncontrol- 
lable disposition  to  weep,  great  fear  of  being 
left  alone,  great  depression  of  spirits,  all  of 
which  were  sources  of  intense  misery.  His 
judgment,  however,  was  correct,  and  his  inter- 
est in  affairs  as  active  as  ever. 

He  came  under  my  care  about  ten  months 
after  his  attack.  All  treatment  was  suspended 
|)ut  that  derived  from  various  forms  of  motion. 
Special  pains  was  taken  to  reawaken  powers  of 
motion  and  sensation  in  the  affected  arm  and 
hand.  This  patient  was  satisfied  with  a small 
amount  of  treatment,  which  is  contrary  to  the 
usual  desires  of  this  class  of  invalids,  but  it 


LOCOMOTOR  ATAXY. 


103 


was  daily  and  regularly  applied,  according  to 
the  variations  in  his  nervous  condition. 

In  three  weeks  he  could  for  the  first  time  use 
his  knife  and  cut  his  food,  and  also  began  to 
employ  the  affected  hand  to  open  doors,  etc. 
In  six  weeks  he  went  home  greatly  improved 
in  body  and  mind.  During  several  succeeding 
months  he  came  for  a few  weeks’  treatment  at 
different  times,  as  suited  his  convenience  and 
fancy.  He  became  able  to  walk  long  distances 
in  the  streets,  though  not  without  a degree  of 
awkwardness  in  his  control  of  the  right  foot. 
He  acquired  control  of  all  the  muscles  of  his 
right  arm,  though  not  the  wonted  celerity  of 
motion.  He  had  not,  since  his  attack,  been 
able  to  write  his  name ; now,  he  wrote  letters 
covering  several  sheets  of  paper,  in  a beautiful 
round,  clear  hand.  This  result  certainly  ex- 
ceeded all  expectation  founded  on  ordinary 
experience. 


LOCOMOTOR  ATAXY— PROGRESSIVE  PARALYSIS. 

This  form  of  paralysis  is  characterized  by 
deficiency  or  absence  of  control  of  the  motions 
of  the  lower  extremities.  It  is  accompanied 


104 


REMARKABLE  SYMPTOMS. 


by  loss  of  sensation,  while  the  strength  of  the 
muscles  remains.  The  motions  are  irregular, 
the  invalid  staggers  in  walking.  These  pecu- 
liar symptoms  arise  from  degeneration  of  the 
posterior  columns  or  portion  of  the  spinal 
cord,  while  the  anterior  portion  is  less  affected. 
The  affection  comes  on  very  slowly,  and  pro- 
gresses till  all  power  is  lost. 

The  control  exercised  over  nutrition  by  vibra- 
tory motion  affords  a new  prospect  for  recov- 
ery, in  this  confessedly  intractable  class  of 
cases.  Not  only  is  the  degeneration  of  the 
cord  arrested,  but  the  renewed  vivacity  of  all 
the  nutritive  operations  results  in  restoration 
of  power,  and  probably  also  in  the  reproduc- 
tion of  power  giving  tissue. 

Mr.  N.  had  been  for  years  engaged  in  ex- 
tensive manufacturing  as  well  as  mercantile 
business  involving  many  cares  and  much  anx- 
iety, but  from  all  of  these  he  was  now  laid 
aside.  When  he  came  to  me  he  had  been  a 
great  sufferer  for  three  years.  The  symptoms 
of  his  disease  had  developed  very  gradually, 
but  with  decided  and  uninterrupted  increase 
from  the  beginning.  On  examination  I found 
complete  absence  of  sensation  in  his  feet  and 


LOCOMOTOn  ATAXY. 


105 


legs.  A pin  passed  its  whole  length  into  his 
leg,  in  different  places,  elicited  no  sensation 
whatever.  He  did  not  feel  the  touch  of  his 
feet  on  the  ground.  He  had  full  muscular 
power  in  the  legs,  but  was  obliged  to  maintain 
his  balance  in  walking  by  placing  his  feet 
wider  apart,  and  constantly  looking  at  them. 

Notwithstanding  the  numbness,  he  suffered 
much  torture  from  morbid  sensations.  The 
chafing  of  his  pants  was  annoying,  while  the 
casual  brushing  of  ladies’  skirts  against  his 
legs  in  walking  often  gave  great  suffering.  In 
addition,  and  in  seeming  inconsistency  with 
numbness,  he  had  occasional  attacks  of  sting- 
ing, burning  pains,  generally  confined  to  a 
very  small  area.  He  compared  this  sensation 
to  that  which  might  be  caused  by  the  imping- 
ing of  a jet  of  steam  against  the  leg.  This 
form  of  pain  frequently  shifted  its  location. 
Common  sensibility  remained  entirely  absent 
during  these  paroxysms  of  excited  and  mor- 
bid sensation. 

He  was  quite  disqualified  for  business,  re- 
ceiving meanwhile  the  advice  and  care  of  the 
most  esteemed  in  the  medical  profession.  His 
adviser  for  several  months  before  consulting 


106 


DIFFICULTIES  ENCOUiNTTERED. 


me  was  Dr.  Brown  - Sequard  ; nothing,  how- 
ever, had  served  in  the  least  to  arrest  the 
progress  of  his  disease,  or  even  to  mitigate 
his  peculiar  suffering.  The  medical  reader 
will  doubtless  form  an  hypothesis  from  the 
narration  of  symptoms  given,  that  there  was 
progressive  degeneration  of  the  posterior  col- 
umns of  the  cord,  and  that  this  diseased  con- 
dition was  attended  by,  and  probably  pro- 
duced, a congested  condition,  perhaps  sub- 
inflammation at  various  points  of  the  anterior 
columns. 

Considerable  difficulty  was  experienced  in 
adjusting  the  treatment  to  the  seemingly  mixed 
and  contradictory  symptoms.  Should  the 
blood  in  the  spinal  cord  be  increased  or  dimin- 
ished ? and  in  what  portions  of  it  are  these 
different  effects  required  ? were  questions  which 
could  not  be  satisfactorily  answered.  Even  if 
they  could  be,  it  is  impossible  to  treat  differ- 
ently nervous  elements  in  immediate  contiguity 
as  are  the  anterior  and  posterior  columns  of  the 
spinal  cord.  No  benefit  appeared  at  first  to 
be  derived  from  the  treatment ; the  absence  of 
feeling,  the  difficulty  of  locomotion,  and  the 
attacks  of  acute  suffering  continued,  but  as  he 


LOCOMOTOR  ATAXY. 


107 


did  not  grow  worse — his  previous  constant  ex- 
perience— he  persevered.  I had  demonstrated 
in  a sufficient  number  of  instances  to  be  satis- 
fied of  the  certainty  of  the  power  of  vibratory 
motions  to  remove  congestion,  and  to  invig- 
orate the  nutritive  tone  of  any  part  for  whose 
benefit  these  motions  were  used  ; and  the  treat- 
ment of  the  case  was  accordingly  continued. 
In  eight  or  nine  weeks  the  tactile  sense — sensa- 
tion— began  to  appear,  and  the  paroxysms  of 
pain  to  diminish  in  severity  and  frequency. 
At  the  end  of  four  months,  though  not  re- 
stored, he  felt  able  to  take  some  active  part  in 
his  business,  consequently  suspended  treat- 
ment and  went  to  his  home.  The  sensations 
were  now  normal,  except  a little  remaining 
numbness  in  his  feet,  and  the  paroxysms  of 
pain  were  infrequent  and  comparatively  slight. 

The  next  winter  he  returned,  having  lost 
nothing  in  power  or  health  during  the  eight 
months  he  had  been  absent ; on  the  contrary, 
he  had  continired  in  some  respects  to  improve, 
notwithstanding  he  habitually  devoted  several 
hours  each  day  to  active  business.  He  could 
now  walk  with  a firmer  step,  and  the  act  de- 
manded less  of  his  attention.  I found  him 


108 


PROGRESSIVE  RECOVERY, 


decidedly  more  amenable  to  treatment.  He 
remained  with  me  three  months  more.  At  the 
end  of  this  time  the  sensations  and  motions  of 
his  feet  and  legs  had  become  perfectly  natural, 
and  the  strengt  has  full  and  vigorous  as  ever. 
He  has  for  the  last  two  years  filled  his  place  at 
the  head  of  a large  business,  where  he  has 
heavy  responsibilities,  but  not  a symptom  of 
his  old  illness  has  returned. 

This  case  also  confirms  the  supposition  that 
the  curative  process  goes  forward  in  the  seat 
of  the  disease  for  a considerable  time  before 
the  fact  is  manifested  in  the  sensations  and 
strength  of  the  patient.  The  nature  of  these 
intermediate  processes  of  restoration  is  a mat- 
ter of  rational  inference  based  on  what  we 
know  of  the  means  employed  and  the  condition 
precedent  to  their  use.  In  the  spinal  cord 
there  must  be  diseased  substance  and  probably 
dead  adventitious  matters,  consequently  mate- 
rial foreign  to  the  composition  of  vital,  power- 
evolving  tissue.  To  oxidize  and  remove  these 
is  the  primary  object.  The  acting  vital  ele- 
ments of  the  spinal  cord  need  to  be  reinforced 
with  fresh  power.  Nothing  can  do  this  so  well 
as  to  aid  the  nutritive  endeavors.  That  the 


LOCOMOTOR  ATAXY. 


109 


atomic  and  molecular  motions  which  are  in- 
duced by  vibratory  movements  are  capable  of 
effectually  securing  these  ends,  is  apparent 
from  the  wholesome  changes  they  work  in 
other  forms  of  disease.  The  favorable  results, 
easily  demonstrated,  prove  that  the  means 
employed  are  far  more  powerful,  and  better 
adapted  to  the  end  desired,  than  ordinary  rem- 
edies, since  such  remedies  are  of  only  tempo- 
rary service,  or  entirely  useless. 

Other  conditions  being  equal,  recent  cases  of 
paralytic  disease  are  far  more  tractable  than 
those  which  have  existed  for  several  years. 
The  latter  class  need  not,  however,  despair  of 
help.  The  following  case  proves  that  the  im- 
pediments to  the  manifestation  of  nerve-power 
may  be  removed  after  they  have  apparently 
become  fixed.  This  case  is  that  of  a Southern 
gentleman,  forty-eight  years  of  age.  Until  five 
years  ago  he  had  enjoyed  excellent  health,  and 
then  his  illness  came  upon  him  without  a pre- 
monitory symptom.  On  awaking  in  the  morn- 
ing, he  found  himself  unable  to  move  any  of 
his  limbs  ; his  head  was  the  only  part  of  the 
body  that  would  obey  his  will.  The  sphincters 
were  utterly  powerless,  and  so  remained  for  a 


110 


EFFORTS  FOR  RECOVERY. 


long  time.  He,  however,  improved  slowly,  and 
in  six  months  had  regained  the  nse  of  his  arms, 
and  was  able  to  stand  upon  his  feet,  if  sup- 
ported. His  efforts  were  thereafter  directed  to 
full  recovery.  To  this  end  he  availed  himself 
of  the  counsel  of  the  ablest  physicians,  and 
submitted  to  the  usual  variety  of  medical  treat- 
ment. During  his  illness  he  resided  for  a pe- 
riod at  each  of  the  several  Virginia  Springs, 
the  Arkansas  Hot  Springs,  the  Kentucky,  and 
St.  Catherine’ s,  Canada.  He  had  also  availed 
himself  of  the  skill  of  the  eminent  leaders  of 
medical  practice  in  nervous  diseases  in  this 
city.  During  the  last  year  he  had  relinquished 
all  treatment  and  hopes  of  further  improve- 
ment. 

At  this  time  a former  patient,  a well-known 
gentleman,  observing  his  helplessness,  urged 
him  to  try  once  again.  So  faithless  was  he, 
however,  that  he  could  be  persuaded  to  come 
for  an  examination  only  by  being  accompanied 
by  his  philanthropic  acquaintance.  His  symp- 
toms were  those  of  an  ataxic  invalid.  It  was 
impossible  for  him  to  walk  straight  or  erect. 
He  would  make  excessive  strides,  and  his  legs 
would  be  thrown  out  in  a very  irregular  and 


LOCOMOTOR  ATAXY. 


Ill 


even  ludicrous  manner  at  either  side.  His 
thighs  were  a good  deal  emaciated,  and  he  had 
little  power  to  retain  urine.  His  feet  were  so 
numb  that  it  was  possible  to  inflict  serious  in- 
jury without  his  knowledge.  At  the  end  of 
one  month  after  beginning  treatment  his  main 
symptoms  appeared  unchanged ; but  in  two 
weeks  more  he  had  made  great  improvement. 
He  could  now  walk  perfectly  erect,  scarcely 
any  singularity  could  be  detected  in  his  gait, 
and  sensation  had  in  good  degree  returned  to 
his  feet.  His  control  of  urine  had  also  much 
improved,  and  there  was  every  prospect  of  con- 
tinued improvement  and  ultimate  recovery. 

Paralysis  is  sometimes  helped  by  vibratory 
and  special  movements  in  a very  short  time, 
when  still  from  some  cause  full  restoration  is 
not  attained.  The  power  of  the  treatment  and 
the  harmfulness  of  impatience  are  well  illus- 
trated in  the  case  of  Mr.  E.,  aged  forty-eight — 
a gentleman  of  remarkable  energy  and  business 
capacity.  His  was  a case  of  progressive  paral- 
ysis, beginning  at  the  lower  extremities  with 
numbness  and  loss  of  motion.  He  resorted  to 
medical  treatment  at  once  and  continually,  but 
nothing  checked  the  progress  of  his  disease ; 


112 


PKOGKESS  OF  RECOVERY. 


and  at  the  end  of  eighteen  months  he  liad  not 
the  power  to  rise  from  his  chair,  or  even  stand 
when  lifted  to  his  feet.  The  numbness  had  ex- 
tended to  his  waist,  and  he  could  neither  con- 
trol the  lower  bowel  or  evacuate  the  bladder. 
His  urine  was  ammoniacal  and  contained  much 
mucus. 

In  this  condition  he  came  under  my  charge, 
not  having  relieved  his  bladder  during  his  jour- 
ney of  twenty-four  hours.  The  treatment  was 
prescribed,  and  applied  with  great  care,  and 
he  improved  from  the  first.  In  three  or  four 
weeks  tiie  power  over  the  bladder  was  com- 
pletely restored,  the  iTrine  was  of  normal  qual- 
ity, and  he  was  able  not  only  to  stand,  but  to 
walk  with  the  aid  of  a cane  and  one  attendant. 
In  eight  weeks  his  control  of  his  legs  had  so 
increased  that  he  made  frequent,  but  unad- 
vised, walks  about  the  house  with  the  aid  only 
of  his  cane.  Having  gained  confidence  in  this 
increased  power  and  control  over  his  extremi- 
ties, he  now  walked  the  distance  of  thirty  feet 
without  cane,  attendant,  or  any  assistance 
whatever.  This  effort  was  contrary  to  advice, 
and  proved  injurious  ; his  mind  became  unduly 
excited  ; he  grew  impatient  at  what  he  regarded 


LOCOMOTOR  ATAXY. 


113 


the  slowness  of  his  recovery,  and  consequently 
concluded  that  the  virtues  of  the  treatment 
had  become  exhausted.  In  this  frame  of  mind 
and  critical  physical  condition  he  went  from 
my  care  and  resorted  to  electricity.  I however 
did  not  lose  sight  of  this  interesting  case.  He 
lost  health  and  power  directly,  so  that  he  re- 
turned to  his  home  in  less  than  six  weeks  after 
leaving  me,  in  a much  worse  condition  than  he 
came. 

This  case  affords  also  confirmation  of  a prin- 
ciple of  therapeutics  previously  expressed,  that 
it  is  fatal  to  success  to  make  undue  attempts 
to  exercise.  The  results  of  his  efforts  were  not 
transmitted  to  the  muscles  of  his  extremities, 
but  reacted  upon  the  cerebro-spinal  centers* 
and  promoted  the  congestion  of  those  sensitive 
parts  from  which  all  nerve  influence  emanates. 
The  consequences  must  be  disastrous,  and 
often  irremediably  so.  The  desired  changes  in 
the  diseased  nerve-centers  can  only  be  attained 
by  affording  preponderating  activity  to  the 
muscles.  This  can  only  be  done  by  withhold- 
ing the  exercise  of  the  will,  while  the  other 
tissues  receive  energetic  exercise. 


114 


EESTBICTED  PARALYSIS. 


FACIAL  PARALYSIS. 

In  a few  cases,  paralysis  arises  from  some 
affection  in  the  course  of  the  nerve,  the  centers 
remaining  sound.  In  these  cases  the  nerve 
becomes  diseased  by  contact  with  diseased 
structure  through  which  it  traverses.  Health 
is  more  speedily  and  certainly  restored  in  such 
cases  than  when  the  affection  has  a deeper 
seat.  The  case  of  Capt.  S.,  of  one  of  the  ocean 
steamers,  is  in  point.  In  this  instance,  an  in- 
jury inflicted  on  the  head,  which  conflned  him 
to  his  house  and  room  for  several  months, 
resulted  in  paralysis  of  the  facial  nerve.  There 
was  complete  loss  both  of  action  and  feeling  in 
•the  left  side  of  the  face.  The  mouth  and  cheek 
were  consequently  drawn  to  one  side,  and  the 
left  eye  was  drawn  wide  open,  even  in  sleeping. 
He  had  no  power  to  close  the  eye,  not  even  to 
wink.  The  constant  exposure  of  the  mem- 
brane produced  conjunctivitis,  with  incessant 
and  profuse  lachrymation.  His  appearance 
was  of  course  unsightly.  He  came  to  me  im- 
mediately on  leaving  his  long  conflnement. 
The  application  of  the  treatment  was  extremely 
agreeable  to  him,  and  his  lost  powers  were 


FACIAL  PAEALYSIS. 


IIS 


rapidly  developed.  In  one  month  sensation 
fully  returned  to  the  affected  side  of  his  face, 
he  could  control  his  eyelid,  and  was  perfectly 
restored. 

In  this  case  no  improvement  had  taken  place 
in  these  several  months,  notwithstanding  the 
care  and  skill  that  had  been  bestowed  on  a 
widely  known  and  valuable  man.  It  is  possi- 
ble that  time  wonld  have  wrought  favorable 
changes,  but  no  indications  of  it  had  appeared. 
Reparation  of  the  nerve  was  doubtless  attrib- 
utable to  absorption,  always  produced  by  the 
treatment.  The  rapidity  of  restoration  attests 
the  vigor  and  appropriateness  of  the  remedy. 


NEURALGIA  AND  HYPERESTHESIA. 

The  subject  of  pain*  though  old  as  life 
itself,  has  not  been  enough  studied  from  ra- 
tional data.  It  has  been  regarded  and  treated 
as  useless,  and  having  no  compensating  qual- 
ity. The  sensation,  rather  than  its  cause,  is 
the  dreaded  thing,  and  consequently  in  the 


*For  a more  complete  account  of  pain  and  its  relations  to 
health,  the  reader  is  referred  to  my  work  entitled  Diseases 
OF  Women,  their  Causes,  Prevention,  and  Radical  Cure. 


116 


rUNCTIOiY  OF  PAIN. 


more  anxious  than  intelligent  endeavors  to  be 
relieved,  the  effect  instead  of  its  cause  receives 
medical  attention. 

Accordingly,  when  experiment  develops  med- 
icaments whose  employment  mitigates  or  annuls 
pain, — or,  rather,  the  consciousness  of  it, — such 
medicaments  are  forthwith  regarded  as  an  un- 
qualified boon,  and  are  adopted  without  fur- 
ther inquiry.  It  is  not  to  be  inferred  from  this 
that  I condemn  all  use  of  remedies  of  this  class ; 
and  that  a temporary  annihilation  of  the  con- 
sciousness, so  far  as  relates  to  pain  under  easi- 
ly conceived  and  frequently  occurring  circum- 
stances, may  not  be  best.  What  is  to  be  dep- 
recated is  the  abuse  of  vitality  arising  from 
their  frequent,  especially  their  habitual,  use ; 
and  also  the  infiuence  of  such  remedies  to  dis- 
courage adequate  investigation  into  the  nature 
and  relations  of  pain. 

Pain  undoubtedly  is  a mode  of  expressing 
vital  power.  In  case  of  disease  its  absence 
indicates  inaction  of  the  instruments  which 
should  express  it,  but  not,  necessarily,  an 
abatement  of  the  morbid  process.  This  view 
is  supported  by  the  fact  that  sedative  medica- 
ments diminish  the  waste  of  the  system,  con- 


NEURALGIA  AND  HYPEEJESTHESIA.  117 


sequently,  the  organic  changes  whereby  nerve- 
power  is  evolved  ; and  also  by  the  return  of  the 
pain  as  soon  as  the  system  is  relieved  of  the 
presence  of  the  drug.  The  prevention  and  the 
reduction  of  pain  by  medicaments  consist, 
therefore,  in  the  transient  and  local  repression 
of  nutritive  action. 

The  cure  for  pain  is  a different  thing  from 
its  suppression.  The  one  corrects  the  process 
whereby  pain  is  evolved,  generally  by  causing 
a more  appropriate  use  by  the  system  of  nutri- 
tion ; the  other  conceals  the  results  of  misuse 
of  nutrition,  while  the  disordered  relations 
continue.  There  is,  I am  justified  by  facts  in 
stating,  a radical  remedy  for  chronic  pain  and 
excited  sensibility  — a cure  that  courts  every 
test  of  efficacy.  It  consists  in  exciting  activity 
in  other  tissues  bearing  a relation  to  the  nerve- 
centers  from  which  pain  proceeds.  Empirical 
practice,  even  when  employed  in  a very  crude 
manner,  and  to  an  inadequate  extent,  as  when 
relief  is  found  from  rubbing  near  painful 
parts,  confirms  the  correctness  of  the  state- 
ment. But  when  processes  are  applied  in  a 
systematic  and  intelligent  manner,  the  results 
leave  nothing  further  to  be  desired. 


118 


QUALITY  or  BLOOD. 


There  are  probably  several  reasons  for  these 
effects,  among  which  may  be  stated  the  fol- 
lowing : 

The  two  kinds  of  revulsion  previously  de- 
scribed are  made  distinctly  and  thoroughly 
available.  The  blood,  bearing  nutritive  sup- 
plies, is  energetically  transferred  to  the  skin 
and  extremities,  and,  therefore,  from  the  con- 
gested nerve-centers. 

The  demand  of  the  muscles  and  other  tissues 
for  nutritive  support  is  made  by  this  action 
paramount  to  that  of  the  nerves — thus  revers- 
ing the  previously  existing  relation. 

The  oxidizing  effect  which  is  the  inevitable 
and  direct  consequence  of  vibration,  works  a 
change  in  the  quality  of  the  blood,  destroys 
the  toxic  principles  which  may  have  arisen 
therein,  and  thus  enables  it  more  perfectly  to 
supply  nerve  - support.  The  following  is  a 
good  illustration  of  the  radical  effect  of  vibra- 
tory and  other  movements  in  extreme  and  pro- 
longed neuralgia  and  hypersesthesia  of  one  leg. 
The  case  was  that  of  an  unmarried  lady,  sixty- 
three  years  of  age  when  she  placed  herself 
under  my  care.  She  was  of  a strong  consti- 
tution originally,  and  possesses  a vigorous. 


NEUEALGIA.  AND  HYPERESTHESIA.  119 

active  intellect  -vvliicli  she  continued  at  times 
to  task,  hut  had  early  broken  down  in  health 
of  nerve  by  extreme  labor  in  teaching  and  de- 
votion to  educational  enterprises.  She  had 
neuralgic  pain  of  the  limb,  accompanied  con- 
stantly by  extreme  morbid  sensibility — tender- 
ness and  soreness — so'acute  at  times  as  not  only 
to  render  the  touch  of  another  person  exceed- 
ingly disagreeable,  but  this  sensation  would 
be  prolonged  for  many  hours.  This  sensibility 
prevailed  throughout  the  whole  leg,  but  was 
greatest  along  the  sciatic  nerve  and  its  ramifi- 
cations, and  extended  to  the  foot.  She  always 
required  the  aid  of  two  crutches  for  locomo- 
tion, and  was  unable  to  mount  stairs  even  with 
their  aid.  The  soreness  was  aggravated  if  the 
foot  was  allowed  to  rest  on  the  floor  while 
sitting.  The  whole  limb  was  much  shrunken, 
soft,  and  flabby,  and  considerably  smaller  than 
the  other. 

A notable  characteristic  in  this  case  was  that 
these  disagreeable  symptoms  were  always  ag- 
gravated by  mental  activity.  Even  five  min- 
utes’ close  attention  to  any  subject  would  cause 
an  increase  of  pain  and  soreness.  To  partici- 
pate in  conversation  of  unusual  interest  would 


]20 


INORDINATE  MENTAL  ACTION. 


arouse  these  symptoms  to  greater  intensity, 
soon  compelling  her  to  desist.  For  more  than 
twenty  years  this  condition  had  been  perpetu- 
ated without  any  important  variations. 

This  affection  was  not  thus  prolonged  through 
lack  of  medical  attention.  After  having  con- 
formed to  the  advice  of  different  physicians  of 
eminence  in  general  practice  without  advantage, 
she  had  freely  availed  herself  of  all  sorts  of 
special  remedial  treatment  that  happened  to  be 
presented  to  her.  She  had  been  an  inmate 
and  patient  at  nearly  every  health  establish- 
ment in  the  States,  but  all  were  equally  inef- 
fectual in  even  mitigating  her  symptoms. 
Indeed,  the  intolerable  sensitiveness  of  the 
limb  was  rather  aggravated  than  otherwise  by 
these  frequent  applications  of  nerve -exciting 
remedies.  Having  in  several  instances  demon- 
strated the  peculiar  efficacy  of  vibratory  and 
other  movements  in  reducing  nervous  excite- 
ment, I saw  in  this  case  an  opportunity  for 
putting  the  principle  to  the  severest  test.  The 
treatment  was  so  applied  as  to  secure  its  revul- 
sive effects,  both  as  respects  regions  and  func- 
tions. At  first,  and  for  some  time,  the  affected 
limb  was  left  untouched,  while  the  various 


NEURALGIA  AND  IIYPEEiESTHESIA.  121 


forms  of  vibratory  action  were  applied  to  the 
unatfected  limb  as  w’ell  as  to  the  whole  body. 
In  a few  weeks  we  were  gratified  to  find  a dim- 
inution of  the  painful  tenderness,  and  she 
began  to  tolerate  the  application  of  the  treat- 
ment to  the  suffering  extremity.  She  continued 
the  treatment  through  the  winter,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  her  crutches  ceased  to  be  of  further 
service,  except  on  occasions  of  fatigue,  when 
some  degree  of  the  old  sensitiveness  and  sore- 
ness was  apt  to  return.  After  an  interval  of 
several  months  the  treatment  was  resumed. 
The  weak  limb  acquired  hardness,  strength, 
and  size  till  it  finally  became  equal  in  every 
respect  to  the  other.  She  has  not  used  or 
needed  her  crutches  for  six  years.  She  walks 
upon  the  street  wherever  she  chooses  ; mounts 
stairs  with  perfect  ease ; does  a great  amount 
of  intellectual  labor  ; writes  and  publishes 
books ; work?"  from  five  in  the  morning  until 
night  habitually  ; travels  about  the  country 
from  Maine  to  Florida ; is  out  in  all  kinds  of 
weather ; sometimes  overworks,  takes  cold,  and 
is  temporarily  ill,  but  never  feels  any  return  of 
her  old  suffering  or  weakness,  and  is  now,  at 
seventy,  more  energetic  and  healthy  than  since 


122 


EVIDENCE  OF  CONGESTION. 


her  early  womanhood.  This  case  shows  conclu- 
sively that  complete  restoration  can  he  secured 
in  spite  of  age  and  long-standing  illness. 


8UPEB8EN8ITIVENESS  OF  8PINE. 

Excess  of  sensibility  is  generally  accompa- 
nied by  excess  of  blood  in  the  part  from  which 
it  proceeds,  and  in  proportion  as  such  part  is 
relieved  of  excess  of  blood,  sensibility  dimin- 
ishes. In  exterior  parts  we  have  ocular  dem- 
onstrations of  both  the  excess  and  diminution. 
In  interior  parts  we  have  the  evidence  of  the 
same  conditions  in  the  relieved  sensibility 
which  invariably  follow  the  use  of  processes 
that  draw  the  blood  from  the  interior  parts. 
Hence,  morbid  sensibility  finds  relief  in  those 
measures  which  operate  to  withdraw  surplus 
blood  from  the  spinal  centers.  This  view  is 
substantially  supported  by  all  medical  prac- 
tice, and  is  carried  out  by  the  use  of  counter- 
irritants  to  the  spine,  and  by  remedies  which 
produce  the  effect  of  diminishing  the  caliber 
of  the  spinal  capillaries. 

It  must  be  said,  however,  that  sufficient  dis- 
tinction is  not  made  between  the  transient  and 


SUPERSENSITIVENESS  OF  SPINE. 


123 


the  permanent  benefits  which  may  accrue  from 
the  use  of  remedies.  Furthermore,  the  very 
important  fact  is  too  often  ignored,  that  the 
remote  effect  of  a remedy  is  frequently  quite 
the  reverse  of  the  immediate  effect.  These 
statements  are,  sustained  by  the  experience  of 
invalids  affected  with  too  great  manifestation 
of  sensory  power.  For,  in  the  case  last  nar- 
rated, in  which  supersensitiveness  was  added 
to  pain,  there  was  neither  lack  of  means  or 
time  employed  to  secure  the  desired  result. 
But  the  effects  proved  to  be  simply  a series  of 
tantalizing  disappointments,  without  perma- 
nent benefit  to  those  interior  conditions  on 
which  the  symptoms  depended . Remedies 
which  affect  sensory  nerve  - centers  produce 
perturbations  of  the  sensory  power,  without 
essentially  diminishing  the  aggregate  of  mor- 
' bid  action.  To  indefinitely  continue  this  kind 
of  experience  is  to  render  more  and  more  im- 
pressible the  nerve  thus  acted  upon,  and  ren- 
der restoration  either  spontaneously  or  by  any 
means  quite  impossible.  The  following  case 
illustrates  these  principles ; 

Miss  S.,  aged  forty,  when  I was  called  to 
see  her,  had  been  for  several  months  confined 


124 


CASE  OF  SENSITIVENESS. 


to  her  bed  in  consequence  of  the  gradual  in- 
crease of  a spinal  affection  which  commenced 
a dozen  years  before.  Her  principal  symp- 
toms were  those  of  exquisite  sensibility  of  the 
back,  mostly  in  its  upper  portion,  extending 
at  times  to  the  head,  accompanied  with  pe- 
riods of  special  aggravation  and  severe  hyster- 
ical attacks,  in  which  the  extremities  and 
whole  system  wmuld  be  convulsed  and  rigid. 
Her  invalid  history  hardly  deviated  from  the 
ordinary  course  of  this  class  of  cases.  She 
had  been  for  years  uselessly  treated  for  uter- 
ine affection,  mistaking  the  subsidiary  for  the 
primary  element  of  disease.  Counter-irritation 
to  the  spine,  as  the  scarred  appearance  of  her 
back  amply  testified,  had  been  freely  em- 
ployed without  once  attempting  to  obviate  the 
need  of  counter- irritation.  The  relevancy  of 
sedative  and  narcotic  drugs  had  been  fully 
tested,  and  she  was  now  in  the  constant  use  of 
various  opiate  preparations. 

The  supposition  that  the  use  of  the  so-called 
sedative  remedies  suffices  to  diminish  the  ag- 
gregate of  pain  in  chronic  disease,  is  a very 
pernicious  error.  The  effect  assigned  is  only 
the  primary  ; the  secondary  and  opposite  effect 


SUPERSENSITIVENESS  OF  SPINE. 


126 


is  overlooked.  The  reaction  from  temporary 
annihilation  of  pain,  or  rather  from  the  oblivi- 
ousness to  its  existence,  is  severe ; the  sensa- 
tions are  greater,  are  less  endurable,  and  call 
loudly  for  repetition  of  the  drug.  These  state- 
ments are  proved  by  reference  to  cases  that 
have  for  a long  period  been  in  the  habitual  use 
of  narcotics.  The  feelings  become  greatly  ex- 
aggerated and  the  system  so  far  subverted 
that  it  has  but  little  power  for  any  other  pur- 
pose than  to  respond  to  sensorial  impressions. 
This  was  the  condition  in  which  I found  Miss  S. 
Her  sufferings  were  excessive,  and  the  very 
means  habitually  employed  to  mitigate  them 
had  the  effect  of  making  her  more  sensitive, 
of  actually  increasing  her  suffering,  and  of 
rendering  her  more  and  more  hopeless.  As, 
however,  she  appeared  to  have  a good  constitu- 
tion, I considered  her  case  hopeful,  and  she 
was  accordingly  brought  to  my  Institute  in  the 
fall  of  1867. 

The  first  thing  to  be  done  was  to  break  from 
the  use  of  opium,  and,  indeed,  from  all  sedative 
and  nerve  remedies.  This  is  alwaj^s  a serious 
matter,  but  becomes  comparatively  easy  with 
the  aid  of  movements.  The  stimulus  these 


126 


PROGRESS  OF  RECOVERY. 


operations  afford  the  nerves  appears  to  act 
somewhat  in  substitution  for  the  drug,  and  the 
system  glides  nearly  unperceived  from  its  mor- 
bid exaltation  into  a state  approaching  health. 
This,  however,  did  not  occur  without  one  or 
two  hysterical  spasms.  She  continued  to  gain 
in  strength  through  all  the  variations  of  feeling. 
In  two  months  she  was  entirely  emancipated 
from  the  need  of  quieting  remedies,  and  the 
sensitiveness  of  the  spine  was  permanently 
relieved.  She  continued  the  treatment  a month 
or  two  longer,  at  the  end  of  which  time  she 
returned  to  her  home  perfectly  well.  At  this 
writing  she  remains  in  good  health. 


INFANTILE  PARALYSIS. 

The  grave  and  permanent  consequences 
growing  out  of  paralysis  occurring  in  infancy 
and  childhood,  invest  it  with  extraordinary 
interest.  The  physical  capacities  for  life  de- 
pend on  what  seems  the  accident  of  a moment, 
and  the  intelligence  with  which  the  accident  is 
met. 

This  affection  usually  occurs,  without  warn- 


INFANTILE  PARALYSIS. 


127 


mg,  during  the  progress  of  some  of  the  tempo- 
rary illnesses  to  ivhich  children  are  liable. 

either  the  causes  of  the  disease,  nor  the  ac- 
tual condition  of  the  spinal  centers  involved, 
are  clearly  understood.  That  hereditary  influ- 
ences have  much  to  do  with  its  occurrence 
is  inferable  from  the  fact  that  it  sometimes 
appears  at  birth.  That  it  is  removable  and 
its  consequences  obviated,  if  treated  by  such 
means  as  are  calculated  to  remove  spinal  con- 
gestion, I have  had  opportunity  for  demon- 
strating. Timely  and  correct  treatment  is  often 
followed  by  complete  recovery. 

But  the  great  mass  of  instances  of  infantile 
paralysis  are  practically  neglected  in  the  early 
stage ; the  consequences  are  serious  and  per- 
manent. The  peripheral  nerves  remain  para- 
lyzed, although  the  centers  may  recover  so  far 
as  is  possible  in  the  absence  of  the  stimulus 
derived  from  sensation.  The  child  grows,  but 
the  paralyzed  parts,  not  being  stimulated  by 
influences  extending  to  them  from  the  will  and 
being  deprived  of  action,  are  but  feebly  nour- 
ished, and  fall  far  behind  in  development. 
Extremities  thus  affected  are  therefore  deflcient 
in  growth,  withered  in  appearance,  cold  to  the 


128 


CONSEQUENCES  OP  NEGLECT. 


toucli,  and  greatly  wanting  in  sensation  and 
power. 

Another  serious  complication  sooner  or  later 
follows,  the  extent  depending  on  the  degree  of 
the  paralysis.  A portion  of  the  nerve-fibers 
supplied  to  the  limb  retain  a degree  of  natural 
power.  The  muscles  to  which  these  healthy 
nerves  are  distributed  are  consequently  not 
impaired,  they  continue  to  grow  and  to  increase 
in  contractile  power.  But  the  action  of  these 
muscles  is  not  properly  antagonized  in  conse- 
quence of  the  paralj’^sis  of  the  opposing  mus- 
cles. This  unequal  action  of  these  two  sets  of 
muscles  draws  the  limb  out  of  place,  usually 
deforming  the  ankle  or  wrist,  and  sometimes 
other  joints. 

The  deformity  increases  in  proportion  to  the 
disparity  in  the  nutrition  of  the  well  and  the 
paralyzed  parts.  Examinations  of  the  tissue 
of  unused  muscles  have  in  some  cases  dem- 
onstrated that  it  becomes  degenerated,  the  mus- 
cular material  being  displaced  by  fat,  and  the 
possibility  of  muscular  contraction  under  any 
stimulus  is  therefore  out  of  the  question. 

The  means  usually  employed  for  the  relief 
of  these  cases  have  been  galvanism  and  braces. 


INFANTILE  PARALYSIS. 


129 


Galvanism  has  proved  of  service  only  in  the 
milder  cases,  and  satisfactory  in  hut  few. 
Braces  are  not  used  so  much  for  the  disease 
as  to  mitigate  its  inconveniences.  Their  em- 
ployment is  an  intimation  that  nothing  better 
or  more  radical  can  be  done.  Such  a conclu- 
sion is,  however,  without  warrant.  While  ap- 
pliances may,  in  some  instances,  be  better 
than  nothing,  they  are  far  from  being  the 
only  or  the  best  aids  to  develop  the  lacking 
power  and  substance  of  the  limb.  I have 
shown  the  power  of  vibratory  and  special 
movements  — 

To  excite  nutritive  activity  in  feeble  parts, 
even  though  paralyzed ; 

To  conduct  the  blood  to  enfeebled  regions ; 

To  restore  temperature  to  any  region  where 
it  is  deficient; 

To  arouse  sensation ; 

To  produce  absorption  of  deposited  matters, 
whether  they  be  adventitious  material  in  the 
spinal  cord  or  fatty  matter  in  the  muscles  : 

To  relieve  congestion  of  the  spine  ; 

To  increase  growth  and  action  of  muscles; 

To  harmonize  the  relations  between  the  ac- 
tion of  muscle  and  nerve. 


330 


POWER  OF  MOVEMENTS. 


All  these  effects  are  imperatively  demanded 
to  their  fullest  extent  in  infantile  paralysis ; 
and  the  patient  recovers  only  in  proportion  as 
ttiey  are  produced.  Much  time  is  necessarily 
required  to  gain  a complete  demonstration  of 
tnese  effects.  It  happens,  however,  that  my 
experience  covers  sufficient  time  to  afford  the 
needed  evidences ; I therefore  select  the  fol- 
lowing example : 

Jane  B.  became  paralyzed  in  the  right  leg 
when  three  years  of  age.  When  between  six 
and  seven  years  old  she  came  to  me  for  treat- 
ment. The  affected  limb  was  at  this  time  three 
inches  shorter  than  the  other,  the  disparity  in 
growth  having  been  occasioned  by  the  paral- 
ysis. The  limb  was  cold  and  shrunken ; the 
ankle  had  insufficient  power  to  support  the 
body,  and  was  liable  to  turn  whenever  her 
weight  rested  upon  it.  She  could  not  walk, 
but  hobbled  about  in  a painful  manner.  The 
shortening  of  the  leg  had  caused  at  the  lumbar 
region  a permanent  curvature  of  the  spine. 

She  was  a bright,  active  child,  and  entered 
with  much  interest  into  the  treatment,  which 
v/as  continued  with  satisfactory  evidences  of 
progress  about  five  months.  At  this  time, 


REMOVAL  OF  DEFORMITIES. 


131 


nutrition  having  become  permanently  directed 
toward  the  atfected  limb,  she  was  able  to 
stand  upon  the  foot  without  the  ankle  yield- 
ing to  her  weight.  The  curvature  of  the  spine 
was  entirely  corrected,  and  she  now  went 
home,  but  continued  for  many  months  to  re- 
ceive some  of  the  exercises  that  had  been  ap- 
plied to  her  while  under  my  care.  This  was 
ten  years  ago.  I have  occasionally  seen  this 
patient  during  her  growth  into  the  womanhood 
she  has  now  attained.  The  ditference  between 
the  size  and  strength  of  the  legs  has  continued 
to  diminish,  till  now  her  style  of  walking  and 
appearance  give  no  evidence  of  her  former  de- 
fect, and  many  of  her  present  acquaintances 
and  friends  are  quite  unaware  that  she  was 
ever  deformed,  either  in  spine  or  limb. 


EEMOVAL  OF  DEFORMITIES  WITHOUT  OPERA- 
TIONS— INSUFFICIENGT  OF  SURGERY. 

In  many  cases  of  paralysis  non-paralyzed 
parts  do  not  act  healthfully,  but  are  in  a state 
of  either  frequent  or  constant  spasm.  It  is 
probable  that  the  central  disease,  which  sus- 
pends the  action  of  certain  nerve-elements,  ex- 
tends its  influence  to  contiguous  nerve-centers, 


132  SUPPOSED  ADVANTAGES  OF  TENOTOMY. 


and.  that  the  inferior  degree  of  disease  pro- 
duced in  this  manner  causes  the  abnormal  and 
uncontrollable  form  of  action  which  is  denom- 
inated spasm.  Thus,  we  have  utter  relaxation 
of  a portion  of  the  muscles  of  an  extremity, 
and  uncontrolled  and  excessive  action  of  an- 
other portion.  When  this  condition  occurs  in 
infancy,  or,  indeed,  during  the  period  of  active 
growth,  the  constant  drawing  of  the  member 
to  one  side  causes  those  fixed  deformities  and 
flexions  which  never  recover  spontaneously, 
and  which  it  is  the  purpose  of  orthopgedic 
surgery  to  relieve. 

The  method  usually  adopted  to  redress  these 
deformities  consists  of  tenotomy^  or  severing 
the  tendon  of  the  contracted  muscles,  combined 
with  extension  of  the  limb  by  means  of  appa- 
ratus. Sometimes  • stretching  the  contracted 
parts  by  continuous  application  of  force  is  em- 
ployed alone. 

The  advantages  supposed  to  arise  from  cut- 
ting the  tendon  may  be  stated  as  follows : 

The  opposite  sides  of  the  deformed  limb  are 
made  alike  in  action.  The  contracted  muscles 
have  no  longer  power  to  act  upon  the  ex- 
tremity, and  it  can  be  fully  straightened. 


REMOVAL  OF  DEFORMITIES. 


133 


The  interspace  between  the  separated  ends  of 
the  cut  tendon  is  soon  filled  in  with  tendon : 
the  muscle  thus  lengthened  is  restored  to  ser- 
vice, and  ceases  to  cause  deformity. 

An  instrument  adapted  to  maintain  the  limb 
in  place  enables  the  child  to  use  it,  and  thus 
increase  its  development  and  power. 

The  weight  of  the  instrument,  added  to  that 
of  the  limb,  is  supposed  to  increase  the  exer- 
cise of  its  muscles,  and  thus  further  to  aid  the 
development  of  the  wasted  extremity. 

This  method  of  treating  deformed  limbs  has 
doubtless  been  of  good  service  in  some  of  the 
above-mentioned  particulars,  and  is  justifiable 
in  the  absence  of  knowledge  of  superior  meth- 
ods for  remedying  these  defects.  The  results 
expected  of  treatment  when  it  is  confined  to 
the  means  described  are,  however,  seldom  fully 
realized ; and  whatever  result  is  attained  re- 
quires a very  long  time.  The  difficulties  in  the 
way  of  success  may  be  summarized  as  follows : 

The  operation  of  severing  tendons  does 
nothing  either  toward  removing  the  cause  of 
muscular  contraction,  or  the  contraction  itself. 
It  only  releases  the  limb  from  its  effect.  Even 
the  contraction  is  itself  but  an  effect ; tlio  im- 


134 


ADVANTAGES  OF  TENOTOMY. 


pulse  to  contract  is  derived  from  central  nerve- 
irritation,  which  is  not  abated  by  disconnect- 
ing the  tendon  from  the  point  to  which  it  is 
attached.  The  operation  is  only  palliative,  and 
in  no  sense  a radical  or  curative  measure. 
Hence  the  recoveries  which  follow  these  opera- 
tions do  not  proceed  from  this,  but  from  other 
causes. 

By  severing  tendons,  the  antagonizing  mus- 
cles are  rendered  alike,  not  by  increasing  the 
power  of  the  weak,  but  by  annihilating  that 
of  the  strong  muscles.  The  aggregate  power 
dispersed  to  the  extremity  is  therefore  not 
increased,  but  diminished,  by  cutting  otf  that 
which  was  represented  in  the  contracted  mus- 
cles ; the  control  of  the  will  over  the  extremity 
remains  as  imperfect  as  ever,  and  its  nutritive 
supply  as  feeble. 

The  deformity  often  returns  after  the  resto- 
ration of  the  continuity  of  the  severed  tendon 
in  consequence  of  the  continued  action  of  the 
original  cause.  Only  when  the  cause  of  con- 
traction has  spontaneously  abated  can  the  in- 
strumental process  become  helpful. 

After  the  adjustment  of  instruments,  the 
weight  of  the  extremity,  together  with  that  of 


REMOVAL  OF  DEFORMITIES. 


135 


tile  instrument,  is  often  borne  by  muscles  situ- 
ated higher  up,  and  not  by  those  of  the  affected 
parts — not  by  the  muscles  which  ought  to  per- 
form that  office.  These  latter  are  the  muscles 
which  every  endeavor  should  be  made  to  stim- 
ulate, but  the  means  in  question  have  little  in- 
fluence to  do  this,  and  far  from  as  much  as  is 
desirable  and  attainable.  The  child  provided 
with  supports  walks  as  with  a wooden  limb. 
The  effect  of  this  mode  of  locomotion  is  to  em- 
ploy in  the  parts  which  really  act,  the  nerve- 
power  and  the  nutritive  support  which  should 
flow  to  the  extremities.  The  consequence  is  to 
maintain  an  unequal  nutrition  in  the  parts 
already  suffering  from  that  cause. 

It  is  evident  that  when  the  means  for  cor- 
recting this  class  of  deformities  is  conflned  to 
the  orthopaedic  methods,  the  attention  of  the 
physician  is  concentrated  on  effects,  while  the 
causes  producing  them  are  neglected ; that 
nothing  adequate  or  radical  is  attempted  to 
restore  power  to  paralyzed  parts,  or  to  abate 
the  irritability  and  spasm  of  the  contracted 
parts  ; that  the  disparity  between  the  extremi- 
ties must  continue ; and  that  the  necessity  for 
artificial  support  must  exist  for  an  indefinite 


136 


INCOAIPLETE  EESOURCES. 


period.  The  only  compensation  to  these  draw- 
backs and  dilRculties  is  that  of  enabling  the 
child  to  stand  upon  its  feet. 

It  hence  appears  that  the  views  of  the  nature 
and  needs  of  this  class  of  deformities  which  are 
adopted  by  orthopaedists,  are  partial  and  inad- 
equate to  supply  the  treatment  required  by 
these  cases ; and  that  the  mechanical  devices 
which  they  furnish  are  useful  only  in  a limited 
number  of  cases. 

The  resources  of  orthopaedists  will  remain 
incomplete  till  they  adopt  adequate  means  for 
relieving  spasm ; for  restoring  health  and 
power  to  diseased  nerve-centers ; for  restoring 
normal  action  to  nerve-conductors ; for  increas- 
ing the  nutrition  and  power  of  the  muscles  to 
which  the  nerves  are  distributed,  and  which 
from  long  inaction  have  lost  not  only  their 
function,  but  normal  substance.  This  want  is 
supplied,  and  without  surgical  operation  or 
processes,  as  is  shown  in  the  following  case  : 

Master  G-.,  aged  twelve  years,  suffered  an 
attack  of  paralysis  affecting  the  right  leg,  when 
six  years  of  age.  On  examination,  the  leg  was 
found  of  nearly  equal  length  with  the  other, 
but  weak,  flabby,  and  cold.  Sensation  was  so 


REMOVAL  OF  DEFORMITIES. 


137 


dull  that  he  did  not  suffer  from  the  constant 
low  temperature  of  the  limb.  The  muscles 
were  poorly  developed,  and  of  feeble  contract- 
ile power,  and  there  was  but  little  action  below 
the  knee.  He,  however,  had  managed  to  hob- 
ble about,  with  a very  awkward  limp,  without 
support.  The  great  toe  of  the  affected  limb 
was  permanently  bent  under,  in  consequence 
of  severe  contraction  of  its  muscles,  and  could 
be  straightened  only  by  using  positive  force. 
This  deformity  greatly  increased  his  difficulty 
in  walking. 

He  was  treated  by  vibratory  and  special 
movements  applied  to  the  weak  side  and  leg, 
particular  reference  being  had  to  the  affected 
toe,  and  also  to  the  chest,  which  had  become 
contracted  in  consequence  of  the  bowed  and 
unseemly  position  his  defective  limb  obliged 
him  to  assume  in  walking.  In  six  weeks  his 
paralyzed  limb  maintained  its  temperature 
equal  to  that  of  its  fellow,  and  very  good 
sensation  had  returned.  At  the  end  of  three 
months  the  deformed  toe  had  become  straight- 
ened, and  no  longer  troubled  him  in  walking 
or  in  wearing  his  shoes,  though  the  control  of 
the  extensors  was  still  weak.  Whenever  he 


138 


FUTILITY  OF  ORTHOPAEDY. 


gave  attention  to  his  gait,  it  was  not  defective; 
the  habit  of  limping  was  not,  however,  entirely 
overcome.  There  is  every  probability  that  by 
continuing  even  moderate  attention  to  the  prin- 
ciples inculcated  by  the  treatment,  the  defective 
limb  will  become  as  large  and  perfect  as  the 
other  before  the  young  man  attains  his  growth. 

This  case  is  selected  for  record  here,  not 
only  because  it  is  a good  illustration  of  the 
adequacy  of  this  treatment  to  restore  power 
and  to  correct  deformities,  but  because  of  the 
obvious  futility  of  any  attempt  to  accomplish 
these  objects  in  his  case  by  the  orthopaedic 
method. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  in  these  cases  that 
difference  in  power  of  the  two  limbs  dimin- 
ishes much  more  rapidly  than  difference  in 
size.  The  unaffected  limb,  which  for  years 
has  done  nearly  all  the  work  of  standing  and 
even  of  walking,  becomes  exaggerated  in  size. 
When  the  action  and  the  habit  of  use  of  the 
two  limbs  are  reversed  by  the  treatment,  the 
difference  of  power  is  changed  with  the  differ- 
ence of  nutritive  support,  till  these  become 
finally  equalized ; but  restoration  of  size  falls 
behind  that  of  power. 


CONTRACTED  LIMBS. 


139 


CONTBACTED  LIMB8-IMPR0VEMENT AFTER  FATE 
ERE  OF  TENOTOMY  AND  INSTRUMENTS. 

The  principle  that  the  restoration  of  power 
and  the  removal  of  spasm  entirely  depend  on 
the  restoring  of  health  to  the  nerve  - centers 
from  which  these  symptoms  jn’oceed,  does  not 
admit  of  question . And  since  deformities 
occur  as  another  consequence  of  these  same 
causes,  it  follows  that  the  same  treatment  is 
required  in  the  one  case  as  in  the  other.  It 
is  also  legitimately  inferable  that  forcible  ex- 
tension is  not  only  inappropriate,  but  that  it 
may  prove  a source  of  additional  irritation  to 
the  already  diseased  nerve  - centers,  and  that 
the  deformity  may  be  increased  and  perpetu- 
ated, rather  than  ameliorated,  by  such  treat- 
ment. These  results  actually  occur,  as  will 
be  seen  in  the  following  cases ; 

A young  lady  in  a neighboring  city  had  been 
afflicted  with  a nervous  disease  from  the  age  of 
liiteen.  Her  spine  was  highly  irritable ; the 
least  touch  would  at  times  cause  intense  spasm 
of  the  whole  body.  One  leg  had  become  per- 
manently contracted,  the  foot  being  drawn  up 
nearly  as  high  as  the  knee,  and  was  crossed 


140 


IRRITABLE  SPINE. 


over  the  other  leg.  The  contraction  of  the  leg 
had  destroyed  all  power  of  locomotion,  and  she 
had  remained  in  this  helpless  condition  for  nine 
years.  In  addition  to  the  usual  resources  of 
medicine,  she  had  during  this  period  employed 
those  of  orthopaedic  surgery.  The  contracted 
tendons  had  been  severed,  and  an  apparatus 
capable  of  maintaining  extension  and  flexibil- 
ity of  the  limb  had  been  fitted  to  her.  This 
treatment  was  of  no  service,  she  was  still  unable 
to  walk,  and  the  leg  soon  returned  to  its  pre- 
vious contracted  condition  in  spite  of  all  efforts 
to  maintain  extension.  It  was  three  years  after 
this  experience  that  I first  saw  her.  I found  in 
addition  to  contraction  and  spasm  that  she  was 
afilicted  with  chorea,  the  jerkings  of  which 
were  easily  excited  and  of  great  intensity.  The 
inference  was  direct  that  the  cerebro-spinal 
affection  caused  and  maintained  the  deformity; 
that  special  attention  to  the  deformity  was 
futile  while  the  cause  remained ; and  that  there 
could  be  no  permanent  help  without  restoring 
health  to  the  nerves. 

On  account  of  the  exquisite  sensitiveness  of 
this  invalid,  and  consequent  tendency  of  all 
impressions  to  produce  reflex  action,  the  treat- 


CONTRACTED  LIMBS. 


141 


ment  was  very  slow  and  cautions.  In  six 
months  the  deformed  limb  was  completel.y 
straightened,  she  became  able  to  walk,  and 
has  since  retained  this  power,  a period  of  seven 
years,  except  when  prostrated  by  acute  disease. 

The  following  case  has  been  reported  in  the 
medical  journals,  and  regarded  as  beyond  the 
resources  of  medical  and  surgical  treatment. 
The  extreme  severity  of  the  contractions,  their 
prolonged  existence,  the  continued  action  of 
the  cause,  the  extent  to  which  the  muscular 
system  is  implicated,  the  potential  nature  both 
of  the  medical  and  surgical  treatment  which 
have  been  employed  for  relief,  and  the  negative 
results  flowing  therefrom,  combine  to  render  it 
a case  of  peculiar  interest,  and  also  to  demon- 
strate the  extraordinary  control  vibratory  and 
special  movements  exert  in  diseases  of  the 
nerves.  The  case  referred  to  is  that  of  a gen- 
tleman who,  ten  years  since,  was  stricken  with 
paralysis  accompanied  by  convulsions  followed 
by  extreme  contractions.  Two  years  ago  he 
was  brought  to  New  York  for  medical  treat- 
ment, and  secured  advice  from  eminent  pro- 
fessors. The  right  arm  was  the  only  limb  that 
was  of  the  least  service  to  him.  The  left  arm 


142 


EXTREME  CONTRACTION. 


and  even  the  fingers  were  so  contracted  that  he 
had  very  little  control  of  their  motions,  the 
elbow  and  most  of  the  finger-joints  being  quite 
fixed. 

The  right  leg  and  foot  had  slight  sensation; 
the  left  was  quite  devoid  of  all  sensation.  The 
legs  were. crossed  and  sO  strongly  flexed  at  both 
the  knee  and  thigh  joints,  that  the  calves  of  the 
legs  pressed  upon  the  thighs,  and  one  knee  was 
nearly  in  contact  with  the  abdomen  ; the  legs 
being  crossed  prevented  the  other  knee  from 
coming  up  as  far.  He  was  absolutely  consti- 
pated, his  urine  was  ammoniacal,  and  he  had 
very  little  control  over  its  passage. 

He  received  electrical  treatment,  in  all  the 
various  ways  dictated  by  modern  use  of  that 
agent.  He  is  also  reported  as  having  taken  180 
grains  of  iodide  of  potassium  daily,  besides 
bichloride  of  mercury  and  other  medicines. 
He  was  submitted  to  surgical  operations  ; his 
tendons  severed,  and  forcible  stretchings  ap- 
plied till  the  contracted  skin  under  his  knees 
separated  three  inches.  This,  as  might  be  ex- 
pected, threw  him  into  a fever,  from  winch  it 
was  with  great  difficulty  lie  recovered.  He 
was  then  brought  to  me.  He  bore  large  scars 


CONTRACTED  LIMBS. 


143 


of  bed  sores  just  healed.  These  sores  occurred 
during  the  sickness  produced  by  the  surgical 
operations.  There  had  been  great  loss  of  the 
muscular  substance  of  the  thighs  where  the 
sores  occurred.  His  legs  and  thighs  were  still 
flexed,  and  legs  crossed  in  the  manner  above 
described  - the  remedies  had  aggravated  the 
deformity,  because,  instead  of  soothing  and 
restoring,  they  increased  the  irritability  of  the 
spine. 

In  this  state  T began  his  treatment  without 
the  least  expectation  of  relieving  the  deform- 
ities of  his  limbs,  but  with  some  faint  hope  of 
diminishing  his  terrible  neuralgic  condition, 
and  thus  rendering  life  more  tolerable. 

His  supersensitiveness  and  especially  the  ex- 
citability of  his  reflex  power  precluded  any 
but  the  mildest  treatment,  but  even  this  made 
him  more  comfortable,  and  lessened  the  tend- 
ency in  his  limbs  to  spasmodic  action.  In  the 
spring,  after  six  months’  treatment,  he  went 
to  the  country  and  spent  the  most  comfortable 
season  since  he  became  paralyzed.  He  re- 
turned late  in  the  fall,  resumed  the  treatment, 
and  continued  it  five  months  longer.  The  result 
has  been  that  he  has  acquired  tolerable  use  of 


144  INFERIORITY  OF  ORTHOPEDY  AND  DRUGS. 

his  nearly  useless  arm  ; all  but  one  of  the  con- 
tracted lingers  are  restored  ; the  legs  no  longer 
cross  each  other  or  are  pressed  upon  the  abdo- 
men ; sensation  has  returned  to  his  feet ; he 
has  acquired  the  power  of  moving  them  as  well 
as  his  legs  to  a limited  extent.  He  now  sits  in 
his  chair,  and  in  sitting  appears  like  a well 
person.  His  improvement  has  been  slow,  but 
beyond  all  expectation  of  his  friends,  and  in- 
deed any  one  who  knew  his  medical  history. 

I am  not  prejiared  to  reverse  the  medical 
sentence  which  has  long  been  passed  upon 
him ; he  is  still  a sick  man ; but  I am  glad 
to  present  his  case  again  to  the  public,  to 
disprove  the  tacit  as  well  as  the  often  direct 
allegation  that  orthopaedic  surgery  furnishes 
the  best  aid  for  the  restoration  of  deformed 
limbs,  and  that  the  use  of  drugs  supplies  the 
most  reliable  and  direct  means  for  restoring 
health  to  the  cerebro-spinal  axis. 


DIBABILITIJE8  CAUSED  BY  RHEUMATIC 
AFFECTIONS. 

Permanent  stiffening  of  the  joints  and  con- 
traction of  the  muscles  and  tendons,  depriving 
the  invalid  of  the  power  of  locomotion,  fre- 


EHEUMATIC  AFFECTIONS. 


145 


quently  follow  attacks  of  rheumatism.  Even 
unsightly  deformities  and  complete  helpless- 
ness are  the  occasional  legacies  of  this  disease, 
while  the  lesser  degrees  of  restricted  power  are 
its  peculiar  characteristics.  The  loss  of  power 
of  motion  is  not,  in  acute  rheumatism,  due  to 
disease  of  the  nerves,  but  is  occasioned  by  the 
pain  produced  by  attempting  to  move  the  in- 
flamed parts.  After  the  subsidence  of  the  first 
acute  symptoms,  the  sufferer  finds  his  joints 
stiffened,  swollen,  rigid,  and  sore,  the  tendons 
shortened,  and  the  muscles  reduced  in  length, 
size,  and  power,  and  the  control  of  the  locomo- 
tive power  diminished  in  corresponding  degree. 
Experience  proves  that  this  condition  is  but 
slowly  ameliorated  by  time,  and  that  ordinary 
remedies  are  unreliable  and  inefficacious. 

A brief  discussion  of  this  form  of  restricted 
power,  tliough  not  strictly  justified  by  our  ti- 
tle-page, is  introduced  here  because  paralytic 
and  rheumatic  forms  of  helplessness  are  often 
to  a degree  confounded  in  the  popular  mind, 
and  because,  also,  essentially  the  same  form  of 
remedial  treatment  proves  efficacious  in  both 
classes  of  cases. 

The  rationale  of  the  effect  of  the  application 


146 


VIGOROUS  PASSIVE  MO'wiON. 


of  vigorous  motion  to  muscular  tissues  can  not 
fail  to  be  apparent  on  the  least  reflection.  The 
nutrition  of  muscular  tissue  becomes  thereby 
fructified ; its  substance  and  contractile  power 
increase  and  become  predominant.  Muscular 
power  is  a controlling  power  in  the  system ; 
its  wholesome  influence  is  readily  transmitted 
to  tendons,  joints,  and  the  whole  framework. 
Elasticity,  suppleness,  and  strength  of  every 
tissue  are  the  inevitable  consequences  of  nat- 
ural motions  and  habitual  use  of  parts.  The 
contracted  tendon  is  lengthened,  the  shrunken 
muscle  cell  is  filled  out,  the  flexed  extremity 
is  spontaneously  straightened,  and  the  parts 
assume  their  natural  functions  under  this 
wholesome  influence. 

But  though  effects  like  these  might  natu- 
rally be  inferred  as  the  consequences  of  ap- 
plied motion  to  weakened  and  stiffened  parts, 
yet  the  proposition  that  such  applications  re- 
move the  cause  of  the  weakness  and  stiffness 
— the  rheumatic  poison — requires  further  elu- 
cidation. That  the  essential  principle  of  rheu- 
matism is  removed  by  vibratory  and  other 
similar  processes  admits  of  ready  demonstra- 
tion ; but  to  render  an  adequate  reason  there- 


EHEUMATIC  AFFECTIONS. 


147 


for,  it  is  necessary  to  recur  to  tlie  accepted 
doctrines  of  modern  science  regarding  the 
nature  of  rheumatic  disease. 

Coincident  with  rheumatic  fever  and  swell- 
ing there  occurs  a great  deficiency  of  the  water 
of  the  urine,  and  of  its  characteristic  healthy 
constituent,  urea ; there  is  a corresponding  in- 
crease of  extractives  and  of  uric  acid.  The 
latter  products  appear  to  displace  the  former 
to  a considerable  extent,  and  to  be  due  to  de- 
fective conversion  of  materials.  Urea  includes 
most  of  the  nitrogen  of  the  wasting  tissues, 
and  represents  the  ultimate  product  of  oxida- 
tion derived  therefrom. 

The  preponderance  of  uric  acid  and  extract- 
ives, on  the  other  hand,  indicates  a less  vigor- 
ously oxidizing  activity.  These  products  are 
imperfectly  soluble  bodies,  foreign  in  their 
relations  to  the  tissues  which  they  pervade. 

The  system  in  this  condition  resembles  a fire 
which,  when  there  is  imperfect  draft,  produces 
smoke  instead  of  the  perfected  invisible  prod- 
ucts of  combustion.  Urea  is  a perfectly  sol- 
uble substance,  and  readily  passes  from  the 
system  with  the  escaping  fluids ; while  uric 
acid  is  practically  insoluble  and  occurs  in  mi- 


148 


DEFICIENT  OXIDATION. 


nute  crystalline  form,  quite  capable  of  inter- 
rupting the  flow  of  the  blood  in  the  minuter 
capillaries.  This  interruption  actually  occurs 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  joints,  in  tendonous  parts, 
and  others  of  similar  composition.  Hence  the 
origin  of  rheumatic  inflammations ; the  swell- 
ings, stitfenings,  and  contractions  which  char- 
acterize the  disease,  and  are  apt  to  follow  as  its 
permanent  legacy. 

If  the  nature  of  the  remedies  which  have 
achieved  a reputation  for  usefulness  in  rheu- 
matism be  duly  scrutinized,  it  will  be  found 
that  they  are  such  as  either  directly  or  indi- 
rectly serve  to  increase  oxidation,  or  supply  to 
some  extent  a temporary  substitute  for  this 
element  in  the  physiological  operations.  The 
iodides  probably  fulflll  the  latter  purpose. 

The  above  statement  of  the  cause  and  nature 
of  rheumatic  affections  and  the  origin  of  the 
disabilities  and  deformities  resulting  therefrom, 
leads  directly  and  unequivocally  to  this  infer- 
ence, that  the  system  now  demands  increased 
efficacy  in  its  oxidising  function^  so  as  to 
carry  forward  the  oxidizing  product  to  the 
healthy  standard. 

No  cause  of  oxidation  in  the  living  body  has 


OXIDIZING  AGENCY. 


149 


proved  equal  in  degree  or  in  permanency  to 
vibratory  motion.  In  rheumatism,  the  rapid 
restoration  of  the  urine  to  its  natural  and 
healthy  standard,  both  in  quantity  and  qual- 
ity, the  improved  condition  of  the  skin,  and 
the  simultaneous  abatement  of  the  swelling  and 
soreness  of  the  joints  and  other  local  seats  of 
disease,  afford  new  and  incontestable  evidences 
of  the  power  of  this  remedy. 

It  hence  appears  that  the  curative  power  of 
motion  is  not  limited  to  the  fact  of  increasing 
local  nutrition  and  the  suppleness  of  joints. 
The  processes  of  vibratory  motion  are  capable 
of  correcting  the  quality  of  the  blood  by  so 
perfecting  its  oxidation  as  to  remove  its  effete 
and  noxious  matters.  These  effects  are  not 
confined  to  non-inflammatory  conditions,  but 
extend  back  to  the  cause  of  the  inflammatory 
process,  especially  when  this  consists  of  the 
rheumatic  poison.  But  in  these  cases  success 
depends  entirely  on  the  mode  and  order  of  the 
application. 

The  characteristic  tendency  of  rheumatic  af- 
fections to  become  localized  in  selected  regions 
or  about  the  joints,  is  a beautiful  provision  of 
the  disease,  and  supplies  the  key  for  its  proper 


150 


NON-AFFECTED  PARTS. 


treatment,  even  in  tte  worst  cases.  Tlie  non- 
atfected  parts  or  interspaces  atford  ample  op- 
portunity for  the  direct  frictional  play  of  the 
motion  and  its  etfects  upon  the  muscular  tissue. 
The  same  local  actions  also  affect  the  fluids  of 
the  whole  system,  which  are  conveyed  through 
the  part  and  subjected  to  the  action  ; and  a 
profound  degree  of  constitutional  effect  is  thus 
secured.  These  non-affected  spaces  can  be  ren- 
dered vigorously  active  without  in  the  least 
disturbing  the  inflamed  parts,  even  though  in 
close  proximity.  By  these  means  the  follow- 
ing consequences  are  easily  secured : 

The  oxidizing  effect  which  follows  and  is  in- 
sured by  the  rapid  percussion  and  frictional 
contact  of  minutest  organic  parts  is  rendered 
progressively  more  complete.  The  temperature 
of  the  system  is  increased,  not  through  exterior 
heat,  but  by  its  interior  development.  It  is 
difficult  to  estimate  the  assistance  thus  lent  to 
the  vital  endeavors.  The  amount  of  fluid  in 
the  urine  is  increased,  sometimes  fifty  per 
cent.,  and  the  peculiar  sediment  which  charac- 
terizes the  disease  soon  disappears.  The  mois- 
ture of  the  skin  is  increased.  These  facts  afford 
the  best  evidence  that  those  eliminatory  acts 


FEICTIONAL  MOTION. 


151 


are  restored  which  maintain  the  quality  of  the 
blood  at  its  healthy  standard. 

But  the  effect  which  affords  the  most  imme- 
diate satisfaction  appears  to  be  due  to  revul- 
sion. The  frictional  action  applied  to  the 
interspaces  between  the  inflamed  parts  causes 
a large  increase  of  blood  in  the  region  to  which 
such  action  is  applied,  as  is  evidenced  by  red- 
ness, increase  of  temperature,  and  moisture  of 
skin.  This  afflux  is  absolutely  required  for 
increased  nutrition  of  the  muscles.  At  the 
same  time  the  distention  of  the  capillaries  in 
the  swollen  parts  is  diminished,  together  with 
the  heat  and  pain.  Those  parts  which  previ- 
ously would  not  tolerate  the  touch  of  another, 
can  now  be  handled,  not  only  with  impunity 
but  positive  comfort.  This  shows  that  the 
fluids  have  become  transferred  from  the  region 
where  their  presence  afforded  pain,  to  tissues 
in  which  they  are  likely  to  subserve  their  nor- 
mal nutritive  purpose. 

The  toleration,  by  the  inflamed  joint  or  other 
part,  of  mechanical  interference  is  the  signal 
that  it  may  be  directly  employed  to  advantage. 
By  discreet  manipulation,  especially  by  vibra- 
tory waves  sent  through  the  affected  region, 


152  CASE  OF  AGGRAVATED  RHEUMATISM. 


capillary  contractility  is  still  further  stimu- 
lated, till  the  caliber  of  the  vessels  approaches 
the  normal  standard,  and  the  effused  fluids 
forming  a portion  of  the  swelling  are  still 
further  removed.  The  curative  process  thus 
goes  on  till  it  is  perfected.  The  following  case 
of  aggravated  articular  rheumatism,  treated  by 
“movements,”  affords  a fair  example  of  the 
usual  progress  of  restoration : 

Miss  N.,  by  occupation  a teacher,  was  pros- 
trated in  the  winter  of  1870  with  severe  rheu- 
matic fever,  which,  in  spite  of  the  most  ap- 
proved medical  attention,  in  a few  weeks  lapsed 
into  the  chronic  form.  Nearly  all  the  joints 
were  affected ; the  ankles,  knees,  wrists,  and 
Angers  were  much  swollen,  painful,  and  stiff- 
ened, rendering  them  entirely  useless.  One  of 
her  medical  advisers,  who  probably  had  some 
vague  notion  that  there  is  remedial  efficacy  in 
motion,  without,  however,  understanding  as  to 
the  what,  when,  where,  and  how  of  the  opera- 
tions, proceeded  to  apply  a variety  of  twistings 
and  flexions  to  the  affected  parts.  The  conse- 
quence, as  might  have  been  predicted,  was 
greatly  to  aggravate  the  inflammation  and  su- 
perinduce permanent  morbid  changes. 


SEVERE  SYMPTOMS. 


153 


Indiscriminate  movements  are  more  likely  to 
injure  tlian  to  benefit.  The  distended  vessels 
are  strained  and  weakened  by  rough  handling ; 
the  morbid  process  is  renewed  or  increased,  the 
recuperative  power  diminished,  and  permanent 
injury  is  almost  inevitable.  In  case  of  local 
swelling,  the  first  remedial  endeavor  should  be 
to  attract  from  the  affected  part  the  surplus 
fluids,  and  distribute  them  to  the  other  and 
deficient  parts,  after  which  the  gentlest  means 
are  adequate  to  restore  the  contractile  power 
of  the  capillaries,  and  cause  absorption  of 
effused  fluids.  The  attrition  of  tissues  imparted 
by  discreetly  applied  vibritile  and  frictional  mo- 
tion is  the  reliable  means  of  securing  this  end. 

After  three-quarters  of  a year  of  confinement 
to  her  bed,  and  after  her  attending  physician 
had  pronounced  her  case  hopeless.  Miss  N.  was 
brought  to  me.  At  this  time  she  had  lost  all 
control  over  the  left  hand,  both  ankles,  and 
one  knee ; the  other  knee  was  in  nearly  as  bad 
condition.  She  could  neither  walk  nor  stand. 
The  feet  were  extended  and  rigid,  and  if  she 
were  placed  upright,  the  toes  only  could  touch 
the  floor.  All  the  joints  were  swollen  and  sore. 
The  power  of  the  muscles  to  execute  voluntary 


154 


PROGRESS  OF  RECOVERY. 


motion  was  nearly  absent  from  every  part  of 
the  body,  and  there  was  very  little  mnscular 
substance.  She  was  swathed  in  flannels,  re- 
quiring them  through  the  hottest  weather,  and 
was  sensitive  to  every  trifling  motion  of  air. 

Notwithstanding  the  extreme  soreness  of  the 
inflamed  parts,  and  her  utter  helplessness  as 
regards  voluntary  action,  she  was  laid  upon 
the  proper  apparatus,  and  vibratory  and  fric- 
tional motions  were  applied  to  the  intervals 
between  all  the  joints.  She  was  surprised  to 
And  the  treatment  agreeable  to  her  feelings, 
and  that  her  disability  was  no  impediment  to 
its  use.  The  applications  were  succeeded,  as 
usual,  by  a delightful  glow  throughout  the 
whole  system,  and  by  no  fatigue.  The  sore 
parts,  which  previously  would  tolerate  no  ac- 
tion, could  now  be  manipulated  without  dis- 
agreeable sensations.  She  now  exchanged  flan- 
nels for  linen,  and  caused  the  window  to  be 
constantly  open.  The  operations  were  contin- 
ued daily,  and  she  daily  increased  in  strength 
and  flexibilit}^  of  the  rigid  joints.  In  two  weeks 
she  had  acquired  such  facility  of  motion  and 
strength  as  to  allow  her  to  stand,  make  her 
own  toilet,  and  discliarge  her  nurse.  In  four 


PROGRESS  OF  RECOVERY. 


155 


weeks  slie  adopted  crutclies,  and  was  able  to 
walk  about  with  ease.  In  three  months  she 
had  acquired  an  abundance  of  flesh,  the  mus- 
cles had  become  rounded  out  and  hard,  and  she 
could  make  excursions  in  the  streets.  There 
only  remained  a degree  of  stiffness  in  one 
ankle,  which  she  attributed  to  the  injury  in- 
flicted upon  it  by  the  indiscreet  “movements” 
to  which  reference  has  been  made. 

From  experience  afforded  in  the  application 
of  the  principles  above  stated,  we  are  justified 
in  the  following  conclusions ; 

The  blood  is  renovated,  and  nutritive  action 
is  favorably  influenced,  by  the  application  of 
force  in  the  form  of  vibratory  and  frictional 
motion.  Imperfectly  elaborated  wasting  mat- 
ters are  disposed  of  under  the  influence  of  this 
cause. 

Swellings  are  reduced,  and  stiffened  joints 
are  rendered  flexible. 

Muscular  power,  which  has  been  lost  or  sus- 
pended by  disease,  is  restored,  and  the  muscles, 
which  have  become  attenuated  and  shortened, 
recover  both  their  length  and  size. 

The  will  not  being  called  into  requisition, 
these  applications  are  suited  to  the  most  feeble. 


156 


TRANSMITTED  ENERGY. 


THE  TEE  A TMENT  OF  NEE  VO  US  lEVALIBS  OOJVSISTS 
INMEAES  FOE  DEVELOPMENT  AND  TEANSFOE- 
MA  TION  OF  ENEEG  Y. 

It  is  due  the  seeker  for  health  that  the 
proper  channel  for  the  direction  of  his  efforts 
he  pointed  out  as  clearly  as  the  results  of  ex- 
perience and  the  present  condition  of  science 
will  allow.  In  the  preceding  pages  we  have 
set  before  him  the  salient  facts  from  both  these 
sources,  so  far  as  relates  to  the  therapeutics  of 
motion,  or  as  may  be  better  expressed,  Trans-^ 
milted  Energy. 

We  now  desire  to  add  such  further  state- 
ments in  recapitulation  as  may  seem  to  give 
unity  and  congruity  to  the  whole  subject. 


HEALTH  A QUESTION  OF  ENEEGY. 

All  questions  of  health  relate  to  the  devel- 
opment and  uses  of  the  energy  of  living  beings, 
however  manifested.  The  value  of  life  to  its 
possessor  is  evidently  in  proportion  to  his  con- 
trol of  energy  — to  the  application  of  the  sur- 
plus over  strictly  organic  requirements  to  be- 
neficent ends.  This  would  secure  absence  of 
pain  and  the  enjoyment  of  a maximum  of 


HEALTH  A QUESTION  OE  ENERGY.  157 


power.  Medical  science  and  practice  exist  for 
tne  purpose  of  aiding  such  development  and 
control  of  energy,  through  the  proper  vital 
instruments  for  its  expression,  the  muscles  and 
nerves.  Remedies  are  the  means  found  useful 
by  experience  for  general  and  local  control  of 
energy,  but  are  in  no  sense  in  themselves 
sources  of  power.  The  true  hope  of  the  phy- 
sician, therefore,  lies  in  modifying  the  circum- 
stances, internal  and  external,  under  which 
energy  is  developed.  A rigid  examination  of 
the  conditions  favorable  to  vital  power  shows 
these  to  be  largely  of  a physical  nature,  so 
largely,  indeed,  as  to  render  physical  sources 
of  energy  both  indispensable  and  controlling 
in  the  vital  economy. 

Such  considerations  lead  to  inquiries  as  to 
the  effects  on  the  vital  organism  of  the  direct 
application  of  energy  in  the  form  of  motion; 
whether  functional  activity  may  be  reinforced 
and  perfected  thereby ; under  what  circum- 
stances, and  to  what  extent ; also,  how  far  the 
consequences  of  functional  failure,  past  and 
uresent,  usually  described  as  disease,  may  be 
eorrected  by  this  means  alone.  It  will  be  ob- 
served that  the  proposed  therapeutic  recourse 


168  HOW  ENERGY  IS  TRANSMITTED. 


differs  from  ordinary  remedies  in  its  essential 
independence  of  vitality  as  the  initial  source  of 
help,  on  which  other  remedies  of  all  kinds  so 
very  much  depend. 

The  statements  following  are  chiefly  those  of 
mechanical  physiology,  and  are  generally  ac- 
cepted in  modern  science.  With  these  I may 
join  facts  derived  from  experience,  arising  from 
peculiar  opportunities ; facts  hardly  accessible 
to  those  whose  experience  is  limited  by  the 
ordinary  practice  of  medicine. 


■ WHAT  TBANSMITTED  AIOTION  IS. 

Transmitted  motion  is  that  communicated 
to  the  body  or  its  parts  through  contact  with 
some  object  in  motion ; this  may  be  some  in- 
strument or  machine,  or  the  hand  of  another 
person — in  either  case  designed  and  adapted  to 
produce  certain  effects  by  motion  transmitted. 

On  account  of  the  rapid  exhaustion  of  the 
energy  which  any  individual,  however  strong, 
is  capable  of  exerting,  those  effects,  producible 
by  the  hand  of  an  operator,  will  not,  for  tne 
present,  be  considered ; attention  being  caliea 
only  to  those  proceeding  from  more  abundam 


HEALTH  A QUESTION  OF  ENERGY.  159 


and  unfailing  pliysical  sources,  as  macliines 
and  instruments  specially  adapted  by  their 
construction  to  transmit  power  to  the  living- 
organism. 

The  form  of  motion,  capable  of  remedial  ef- 
fects, is  that  which  in  some  way  influences  the 
ultimate  constituent  elements  of  matter,  so  as 
to  change  their  destiny  at  will  in  some  chosen 
direction.  Tliis  motion  is  necessarily  vibra- 
ting or  reciprocating ; no  other  is  really  com- 
municable to  the  organism.  This  kind  of 
motion  is  propagated  in  rapidly  succeeding 
waves  (1,000  or  more  per  minute)  through  the 
substance  of  the  body  — its  fluid,  semi-fluid, 
and  solid  constituents ; the  force,  as  motion^ 
gradually  diminishing  as  the  distance  from  the 
point  of  its  introduction  increases. 

In  the  manner  of  transmission  there  may  be 
considerable  variety.  The  waves  may  be  sent 
perpendicularly  from  the  surface,  or  parallel 
with  it;  transversely  or  diagonally,  with  or 
without  compression  of  the  parts  submitted  to 
the  action ; the  locality,  direction,  order,  etc., 
securing  variety  of  effects,  from  Avhich  the  pre- 
scribing physician  may  select,  according  to  the 
special  indications  of  the  case. 


160 


TEANSFOEMATION  OF  FNEEGY. 


WHAT  BECOMES  OF  THE  ENERGY  IMPARTED  TO 
THE  BODY  IN  THE  FORM  OF  MOTION. 

The  amount  of  energy  thus  transmissible  to 
the  living  body  is  evidently  measurable,  that 
is,  it  may  be  stated  in  some  better  known 
equivalents  to  facilitate  comprehension  of  its 
amount ; as  we  speak  of  steam  engines  as 
equivalent  to  certain  horse  power,  and  of  horse 
power  as  foot  pounds. 

This  illustrates  the  positive  nature  of  what  is 
transmitted.  A man  may  exert  the  whole  pow- 
er of  his  muscles  in  moving  a weight ; he  may 
do  the  same,  and  in  place  of  antagonizing  grav- 
itation, may  cause  transposition,  in  a variety  of 
ways,  of  the  interior,  invisible  constituents  of 
the  organism  of  another  person.  An  instru- 
ment conveying  energy  from  some  iinlimited 
source  may  evidently  do  the  same  thing.  In 
each  case  there  is  an  equivalence  of  cause  and 
elfect ; the  latter,  in  the  aggregate,  is  absolutely 
equal  to  the  former.  In  the  process,  the  causal 
energy  has  come  to  assume  other  forms — has 
taken  new  athliations  with  matter.  Thus,  mo- 
tion, introduced  in  the  reciprocating  form,  will, 
in  oart,  assume  the  direct  form,  as  a pump 


ENERGY  MEASURABLE. 


161 


sends  a stream ; in  part,  it  appears  as  heat,  as 
friction  may  produce  ignition  ; while  still  an- 
other portion  is  si)ent  in  causing  transposition 
of  constituent  atoms,  or  chemical  effects,  as 
sudden  impact  may  produce  explosion  of  some 
mixtures,  while  stirring  will  cause  precipitation 
in  others  — evidences  of  chemical  effects  of  mo- 
tion, that  is,  motion  transformed  to  chemical 
affinity. 

That  force  or  energy,  under  the  circum- 
stances stated,  is  not  lost,  or  in  any  degree 
diminished,  is  the  dictate  of  modern  science. 
Force  is  never  lost ; it  only  changes  its  form  by 
change  of  circumstances ; its  elusiveness  is  evi- 
dence of  change,  not  loss.  We  may  still  trace 
energy  imparted,  as  above  stated,  through  nu- 
merous phases  and  fields  of  action ; we  may 
even  detect  it  in  the  performance  of  most  nec- 
essary physiological  work,  without  which  the 
powers  manifested  by  the  vital  system  are  ut- 
terly impossible.  In  so  far  as  we  shall  find 
energy,  force,  or  power,  thus  transmitted,  to 
supplement  those  deficiences  of  organized  en- 
ergy which  we  characterize  as  disease,  it  falls 
into  the  category  of  remedies,  and  we  are  com- 
pelled to  regard  it  as  remedial.  Beginning 


163 


MECHANICS  OF  CIECULATIOTST. 


with  effects  purely  physical,  we  may  easily 
trace  a portion  of  these  equivalents  of  motion 
up  to  the  very  threshold  of  vitality. 


BI8PLACEMENT. 

The  bulk  of  the  vital  system  consists  of 
fluid : blood  inside  the  circulatory  vessels,  and 
interstitial  fluid  exterior  to  the  vessels.  This 
mass  of  watery  fluid,  though  pervading  and 
pervaded  by  vitality,  is  non-vital,  at  least  so 
far  as  to  be  strictly  amenable  to  physical  con- 
trol. The  blood  transports  nutrition ; the  in- 
terstitial fluids  carry  nutritive  matter,  and  par- 
ticipate in  nutritive  actions  and  changes. 

An  impinging  force  displaces  fluids ; those 
contained  in  canals  or  conduits,  as  bloodves- 
sels, are  urged  forward  in  the  direction  allowed 
by  their  valves.  Every  repetition  of  the  im- 
pinging force  increases  the  effect.  Mechanical 
obstacles,  if  such  exist  in  the  bloodvessels,  are 
necessarily  removed,  broken  up,  or  urged  out 
of  the  way ; the  outflow  of  blood,  both  to  and 
from  the  nutritive  capillaries,  is  perfected. 
This  effect  is  soon  indicated  in  the  quality  of 
the  organic  effort  directed  to  the  same  end ; the 


DISPLACEMENT. 


163 


pulse  becomes  slower  and  fuller.  The  motions 
of  the  nutritive  fluid  ai’e  entirely  obedient  to 
the  same  control.  Increased  nutrition  of  tis- 
sues, superinduced  by  the  fresh  supplies  of 
blood,  laden  with  oxygen,  causes  motion  of  tlie 
fluids  in  the  direction  of  the  scene  of  activity  ; 
while  the  onflowing  venous  currents  recall  me- 
chanically, within  the  walls  of  the  veins,  such 
spent  matters  as  are  destined  to  be  excluded. 
Hence,  the  mechanism  of  the  circulation  of  the 
blood  and  interstitial  fluids  is,  by  exterior  mo- 
tion, set  and  kept  in  action  in  all  the  minute 
details  necessary  to  nutrition  and  the  support 
of  vitality,  but  without  the  least  vital  expend- 
iture ; and,  although  entirely  in  harmony  with 
the  ordinary  causes,  yet  quite  independent  of 
them.  An  auxiliary  cause  has  practically  come 
in  to  carry  forward  defective  action  to  the  per- 
fected stage. 

It  will  be  apparent  that  the  effects  just  de- 
scribed are  no  other,  in  kind  and  degree,  than 
those  occurring  in  health,  when  the  ordinary 
and  spontaneous  action  of  the  muscles  secures 
the  same  effects.  The  contracting  muscles  press 
upon  both  the  blood  in  its  channels  and  the  in- 
terstitial nutritive  fluids,  and  produce  the  same 


164 


EQUIVALENTS  OF  MOTION. 


effect  as  may  be  produced  by  mechanical  im- 
pingement of  exterior  force,  contributed  by 
some  instrument  adapted  to  this  purpose.  The 
fluids  which  enter  into  the  composition  of  the 
body  have  not  the  least  power  of  self-motion, 
but  depend  on  impulses  generated  within  or 
received  from  without  the  system  for  whatever 
change  of  place  they  suffer.  The  physiological 
consequences  are  quite  the  same,  from  what- 
ever source  the  power  which  produces  them 
may  be  derived. 


FRICTION— HEAT— CHEMICAL  CHANGE. 

Fluids  in  motion,  especially  those  whose 
fluidity  is  imperfect,  and  motion  of  fluids  in 
contact  with  solids,  cause  heat ; or,  to  speak  in 
the  language  of  science,  convert  motion  into 
heat.  Rumford  experimentally  caused  water 
to  boil  in  boring  submerged  cannon,  and  thus 
were  obtained  data  for  flnding  the  equivalents 
of  the  two  forms  of  energy.  The  facility  of 
the  change  of  motion  to  heat  appears  to  be  in 
the  ratio  of  adhesiveness  or  friction. 

The  physical  nature  of  the  components  of  the 
human  body,  soft,  semi-fluid,  adhesive,  and 


FRICTION — HEAT — CHEMICAL  CHANGE.  165 


moderate  pressure,  conjoin  to  favor  the  trans- 
formation of  motion  to  heat.  When,  therefore, 
reciprocating  or  vibrating  motion  is  transmitted 
through  sections  of  the  living  body,  the  tem- 
perature of  the  whole,  beginning  with  the  part 
submitted  to  action,  quickly  rises.  The  circu- 
lation of  the  blood  appears  to  diffuse  the  in- 
creased temperature  throughout  the  body,  and 
increased  transpiration  soon  gives  evidence  that 
a surplus  is  being  produced,  and  is  disposed  of 
through  the  whole  surface. 

All  organized  beings  are  developed  only  at 
fixed  temperatures,  and  the  progressive  devel- 
opment depends  on  the  maintenance  of  such 
temperature.  The  fact  that  heat  - promoting 
remedies  are  favorites  with  physicians  of  all 
classes,  is  strong  evidence  of  the  importance 
attached  by  them  to  the  heat-making  function. 

The  heat  of  living  beings  comes  from  two 
sources.  One  source  is  the  motion  pervading 
all  living  parts,  which,  whether  derived  from 
vital  or  extra  vital  sources,  is  in  part  trans- 
formed to  heat.  Another  is  the  heat  set  at 
liberty  by  the  abundant  chemical  change  that 
is  the  concomitant  of  all  life.  These  two  causes 
of  the  bodily  temperature  are  intimately  con- 


166 


CHEMICAL  EFFCTS. 


nected ; for  motion  is  not  only  changed  to  heat, 
hut  incites  oxidation  also.  Heat  is,  therefore, 
a most  important  remedy. 

One  of  the  first  indications  of  disease  is  ir- 
regularity of  the  heat-making  functions.  Al- 
though there  may  be  actual  excess  of  temper- 
ature, its  production  is  really,  in  every  case, 
diminished ; the  excess  is  owing  to  its  reten- 
tion Muth  the  imperfectly  oxidized  matters,  as- 
sociated with  which  heat  should  be  eliminated. 

Chemical  changes  in  the  vital  system  depend 
on  conditions  quite  similar  to  heat.  Composi- 
tion and  decomposition  of  the  ever  changing 
constituents  of  the  body,  vital  and  non -vital, 
are  possible  only  by  contact  of  the  atoms 
among  which  such  changes  occur ; and  contact 
is  the  necessary  result  of  motion.  Motion  is, 
therefore,  absolutely  essential  for  all  chemical 
actions.  Friction,  or  contact  with  some  degree 
of  force,  naturally  afiFords  a higher  and  more 
perfected  result  than  feeble  contact ; the  con- 
stituents of  the  body  following  the  same  law 
as  matters  exterior  to  it.  Sluggish  chemical 
action  and  imperfect  vital  results  are,  there- 
fore, by  the  assistance  of  motion,  carried  for- 
ward to  those  perfect  results  that  are  compati- 


THE  OXIDIZING  FUNCTION. 


167 


ble  with  vitality  and  health.  And,  in  the  same 
way  as  before  indicated,  exterior  sources  of 
motion  bring  about  etfects  physiologically  in- 
distinguishable from  those  generated  from  the 
usual  interior  sources  of  motion.  In  other 
words,  motion  is  a remedy,  so  far  as  relates  to 
organic  vital  chemistry. 

This  principle  is  specially  exemplified  in  that 
indispensable  accompaniment  of  all  animal  life 
— the  oxidizing  process.  Imperfect  health  be- 
tokens, in  the  same  degree,  imperfect  oxidation 
and  imperfect  removal  of  the  waste  products  of 
vital  action  and  expenditure.  The  oxidizing 
process  within  the  vital  system  is  peculiar  in 
being  always  progressive,  or  proceeding  in  sta- 
ges, instead  of  being  a single  process,  as  is  usu- 
al in  the  inorganic  world. 

The  difference  between  health  and  disease  is 
probably  commensurate  with  these  stages  of 
oxidation.  Hot  that  any  actual  form  of  disease 
is  predicable  on  such  data;  for  interminable 
secondary  effects,  in  which  vitality  plays  a 
more  or  less  prominent  part  — in  which,  also, 
inherent  constitutional  tendencies  and  consid- 
erations largely  enter— conflict  with  the  possi- 
bility of  definite  conclusions  in  so  obscure  and 


168 


VIBRATIOK  SECURES  OXIDATION. 


complex  a state  of  things.  This,  however,  is 
a subject  for  practical  demonstration.  Oxida- 
tion is  largely  promoted  by  transmitting  vibra- 
tory motion  to  the  living  system,  and  the  ex- 
cretions, particularly  of  highly  oxidized  mat- 
ters, are  very  largely  increased  thereby,  and 
return  to  health  is  proportionately  aided. 

Motion  (to  recapitulate)  transmitted  to  the 
living  system  from  exterior  sources,  is  capable 
of  producing  the  following  effects,  without  in 
the  least  tasking  the  vital  sources  of  power : 

It  urges  forward  the  blood  in  the  circulatory 
vessels,  removes  mechanical  impediments  and 
obstructions  therein,  and  therefore  diminishes 
the  frequency  of  the  pulse  and  action  of  the 
heart. 

It  secures  the  necessary  interchange  of  nutri- 
tive fluids  between  the  bloodvessels  and  the 
acting  organs,  upon  which  tissue  change  di- 
rectly depends. 

It  is,  in  part,  transformed  to  vital  heat.  It 
supports  those  physiological  actions  which 
result  in  heat  production  both  local  and  gen- 
eral. 

It  carries  forward  to  perfection  those  chem- 
ical changes  through  which  waste  of  material 


SUPPORT  OF  POWER. 


169 


is  eliminated,  and  those  whereby  organic  de- 
velopment and  vital  power  are  supported. 

It,  in  short,  goes  to  the  root  of  certain  phys- 
iological insufficiencies,  which  result  in  the 
pathological  condition.  It  supplies  the  ener- 
gy needed  to  elevate  this  pathological  condi- 
tion to  the  physiological. 


HOW  NERVOUS  AND  MUSCULAR  POWER  ARE  NOR- 
MALLY SUPPORTED. 

The  remarkable  efficacy  of  transmitted  ener- 
gy in  restoring  defective  and  irregular  nervous 
power  has  its  foundation  in  the  nature  and  re- 
lations of  the  different  classes  of  vital  energy  to 
each  other. 

This  will  be  understood  on  reviewing  the 
physiological  processes  whereby  the  different 
forms  of  vital  power  are  evolved,  especially 
those  forms  manifested  by  the  muscles  and  the 
nerves. 

The  development  of  dynamic,  or  muscular, 
energy  involves  nutritive  support  of  the  mus- 
cular tissue,  as  the  condition  for  its  further 
development ; or  the  incorporation  of  supplies 
of  outside  material,  which  include  that  which 
is  destined  to  appear  as  energy.  The  vital 


170  THE  TWO  FORMS  OF  VITAL  ENERGY. 


molecule,  in  parting  with  energy,  is  reduced 
to  common  dead  matter,  which  in  health,  is 
instantly  removed  and  replaced  by  like  mate- 
rial similarly  endowed  ; and  thus  the  physical 
and  dynamic  power  of  muscles  are  maintained. 

The  energies  of  the  nervous  system  are  main- 
tained by  a similar  process,  being  that  of  con- 
stant importation  from  outside  sources.  The 
nervous  system  represents  a variety  of  forms 
of  power  ; as  sensation,  emotion,  reflex  action, 
intellection,  and  those  combinations  and  modi- 
fications of  them  which  constitute  the  will. 
The  gray  matter  of  the  nerve  centres  are  the 
vital  organs  which  have  the  power  to  eliminate 
nervous  energy,  as  the  muscles  do  the  dyna- 
mic variety. 

As  all  vital  parts  and  tissues  are  practically 
bathed  in  a solution  of  food  and  oxygen  con- 
stantly renewed  (the  blood  and  its  circulation), 
it  is  plain  that  the  support  for  vital  action  is 
ever  present  and  ready  to  yield  to  acting  or- 
gans that  which  is  demanded  by  them  to  sus- 
tain each  special  form  of  action,  whether  it  be 
that  of  muscular  or  nervous  energy.  Such 
support,  in  any  case,  is  conditioned  upon  use^ 
and  upon  nothing  else.  It  is  quite  impossible 


USE  DETERMINES  ENERGY. 


171 


to  force  nutrition  upon  unwilling  organs. 
Physicians  often  attempt  this  method,  but  the 
consequences,  in  the  long  run,  are  disastrous. 
The  nutritive  organs  become  clogged,  and  some 
form  of  local  disease  follows. 

The  instruments  of  energy— the  vital  tissues 
of  muscles  and  nerves — draw  upon  the  com- 
mon fund,  the  blood,  only  in  proportion  to 
use,  and  abstract  from  this  fund  the  special 
combinations  of  elements  that  are  adapted  to 
serve  the  demand. 

If  possible,  still  greater  injury  arises  from 
the  endeavor  to  extort  nervous  and  muscular 
energy  by  medicaments,  and  by  other  means 
than  is  provided  by  nature,  in  the  natural  use 
of  the  instruments  of  power.  In  no  other  way 
is  their  capability  for  use  reinforced  and  main- 
tained. 

The  blood  contributes  of  its  multiform  com- 
ponents to  whatever  tissue  presents  its  demand 
by  action^  that  which  through  the  organizing 
process  is  capable  of  sustaining  such  action. 
Every  functional  act  is  a local  demand  on  the 
whole  resources  of  the  system.  The  organ  is 
local,  the  supply  is  general  and  mobile.  The 
parts  of  the  vital  system  are  so  connected  and 


172 


COUNTERPOISE. 


SO  responsive  to  local  nutritive  calls,  that  they 
unite  in  urging  the  general  supplies  forward  to 
the  point  of  need.  The  blood  evidently  com- 
prises ample  resources  to  sustain  alike  the 
muscular  and  nervous  energies,  and  these  are 
yielded  to  the  support  of  either,  in  the  ratio  of 
the  demand  produced  by  use. 

Healthy  persons,  therefore,  find  no  difficulty 
in  supporting  either  class  of  functions  from  the 
same  food.  This  shows  that  ordinary  food 
contains  ample  diversity  for  all  needs ; if  for 
those  in  good  health,  therefore  for  the  ill, 
whose  requirements  are  the  same  in  quality, 
but  greatly  diminished  in  quantity,  by  reason 
of  inactivity  of  function.  Hence  it  appears 
that  special  aliments  for  the  support  of  weak- 
ened powers  are  of  slight  utility  ; the  plan  does 
not  recognize  that  the  essential  difficulty  is  not 
in  aliment  as  such,  but  in  its  imperfect  appli- 
cation to  use. 


GOUNTEBPOISE  OF  MU8GLE8  AND  NERVE8. 

The  physiological  process  of  deriving  vital 
energy  from  aliment  is  a double  process.  Mus- 
cular energy  is  naturally  evoked  by  the  incita- 
tion of  nervous  energy.  The  senses,  the  emo- 


EEOirROCAL  ACTION. 


173 


tions,  the  intellect,  and  that  resultant  from  the 
combination  of  these,  designated  the  will,  are 
the  usual  and  natural  provocation  to  muscular 
action.  This  mode  of  action  of  the  two  varie- 
ties of  power  involves  nutritive  changes  in  th.e 
respective  instruments  located  at  the  utmost 
distance  from  each  other.  The  two  classes  of 
function,  while  acting  nearly  simultaneously, 
are,  in  fact,  the  natural  counterpoise  of  each 
other — at  least,,  as  regards  the  distribution  of 
nutritive  support  derivable  from  the  blood. 

This  law  is  essential ; otherwise  there  can  be 
no  surety  of  a proper  distribution  of  the  blood, 
laden  with  energy  bearing  material.  It  is  in 
the  contravention  of  this  law  that  we  shall  find 
a profound  cause  of  derangement  in  the  pro- 
duct of  energy  yielded  b}'  the  system,  and  of 
the  organs  which  give  rise  to  it.  This  law  is, 
in  fact,  the  key  to  the  etiology  of  widely  pre- 
vailing forms  of  nervous  disease,  and  equally 
a guide  to  prophylaxsis  and  cure. 


HOW  NERVE  CENTERS  BECOME  DISEASED. 

One  approach  to  a final  consummation  of 
nervous  disease  proceeds  something  in  this 


174 


A CAUSE  OF  DISEASED  NEEVES. 


wise  : Exercise  of  the  nervous  function  in  some 
one  or  more  of  its  departments  is  prolonged. 
Constitution,  habit,  circumstances  control  this. 
The  continuous  evolution  of  nervous  energy 
compels,  to  a corresponding  degree,  the  ad- 
justment of  the  physiological  mechanism  to 
support  the  energies  being  so  liberally  and  un- 
remittingly set  free,  by  conveying  the  blood  in 
increased  amount  to  the  region  of  action — that 
is,  to  nerve-centers  sending  forth  energy.  But 
corresponding  muscular  action  being  wanting, 
it  is  plain  that  the  condition  absolutely  essen- 
tial for  redistribution  of  the  circulating  fluid  in 
this  waj  concentrated,  is  inoperative.  The  con- 
sequence is,  the  local  vessels  of  the  brain  and 
spinal  cord  become  surcharged,  dilated  with 
stagnant  blood.  Hypermmia  is  the  inevitable 
consequence.  From  this  there  is  no  prospect 
or  hope  of  permanent  relief,  except  by  the 
operation  of  the  natural  law,  which  makes  a 
counterpoise  of  the  muscles  by  muscular  action. 
In  this  downward  progress,  the  flrst  stage  is  apt 
to  produce  temporary  local  excitation  (neural- 
gia), soon  followed  by  diminished  power  of 
sensation,  or  motion,  or  both.  This  may  be 
succeeded  by  alterations  of  tissue  and  well 


SUPPLY  OF  ENEKGY. 


175 


known  pathological  changes  of  different  orders, 
which,  however,  are  not  so  much  the  real  dis- 
ease as  its  last  products. 

These  residual  products  and  effects  of  aber- 
ration of  function  are  less  amenable  to  physio- 
logical destruction  than  are  the  normal  tissues, 
but  do  not  necessarily  require  remedies  addi- 
tional to  physiological  action.  But  this  action 
must  be  intensified,  in  order  to  become  remedi- 
ally  effective,  by  introducing  exterior  energy 
through  mechanical  methods. 

Defective  counterpoise  causes  the  patholog- 
ical state  only  in  case  of  the  nerves.  Excess  of 
muscular  action  can  only  diminish  nervous 
manifestation.  That  intellectual  strength,  emo- 
tional power,  and  even  sensation  are  distinctly 
diminished,  by  prolonged  excess  of  mirscular 
action,  is  matter  of  common  observation.  In- 
jury occurs  only  when  the  muscles,  failing  for 
want  of  rest,  are  further  stimulated  to  still 
greater  nervous  exertion  by  the  will,  when  tem- 
porary nervous  exhaustion  occurs,  which  is 
restored  by  judicious  rest. 

We  may  now  present  some  of  the  various 
kinds  of  evidence  of  the  correctness  of  the  prop- 
osition, that  the  principal  instruments  of  nerv- 


176 


EVIDENCES  OP  RECIPEOOITY. 


OHS  energy  are  seriously  injured,  often  de- 
stroyed, by  prolonged  deficient  muscular  coun- 
terpoise. 

Physiological  Emdences.—Yixc,^^  have  mainly 
been  presented  in  the  statements  showing  the 
facility  with  which  the  development  of  energy 
may  normally  be  diverted  from  one  portion  of 
the  system  to  another,  and  from  one  tissue  to 
another,  and  so  be  made  to  assume  at  will  the 
form  of  dynamic,  or  of  nervous  energy,  accord- 
ing as  it  may  be  caused  to  be  evolved  by  the 
muscles  or  by  the  nerve  centers. 

Pathological  Evidences.  — Certain  morbid 
irritations  of  the  spinal  centers  produce  muscu- 
lar spasm.  The  violent  muscular  contraction 
and  liberation  of  muscular  energy  calls  for  nu- 
tritive support,  producing  thereby  such  coun- 
terpoise as  to  diminish  the  morbid  nerve  excita- 
tion. Spasm,  temporarily,  at  least,  removes 
its  own  cause.  Epilepsy  is  an  extreme  illus- 
tration of  this  principle.  The  whole  muscular 
system  is  thrown  into  violent  contortions.  The 
revulsive  effect  of  extreme  muscular  activity 
reduces  the  local  nerve  irritation,  (which  may 
consist  of  temporary  local  hypersemia),  and  the 
system  very  soon  returns  to  its  normal  equi- 


NUTRITIVE  EFFECT  OF  PAIN. 


177 


poise.  Hysteria  presents  similar  marked  illus- 
trations of  the  principle,  as  does  also  instances 
of  local  spasmodic  action  of  the  muscles. 

Therapeutic  Evidences.  — It  is  within  the 
writer’ s experience  and  knowledge  that  each  of 
the  above  forms  of  spasmodic  action  is  radi- 
cally cured  by  means  of  energetic  muscular 
action.,  or  rather,  by  such  action  imparted  to 
the  muscular  system.  For,  according  to  the 
hypothesis  as  well  as  the  facts  of  experience,  it 
is  necessary  that  nerve  centers  should  not  act ; 
that  the  motion  should  be  not  only  very  ener- 
getic, but  entirely  passive. 

Evidences  from  the  Consequences  of  Pain. — 
It  is  well  known  to  physicians,  that  in  pro- 
longed sciatica  the  affected  limb  is  soon  found 
to  be  diminished  in  size  ; the  difference  of  cir- 
cumference between  the  affected  and  the  sound 
limb  often  amounts  to  one  or  two  inches  at  the 
thigh.  Indeed,  the  muscles  of  any  painful 
part  will  diminish  in  size  and  power.  The  rea- 
son for  this  is  evidently  because  the  excitement, 
and  consequent  increased  demand  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  morbid  energy  of  the  nerve  centers 
diverts  nutrition  from  the  muscles.  The  mus- 
cles are  starved  by  pain — pain  being  doubtless 


178 


DRUGS  DISTURB  NUTRITION. 


a form  of  energy,  and  a product  of  increased 
nerve  nutrition.  It  is  often  observed  that  even 
a painful  rheumatic  member  soon  diminishes 
in  size,  affording  evidence  of  morbid  diversion 
of  the  energy  bearing  nutritive  support.  On 
the  other  hand,  excited  muscular  action,  or 
continuous  spasm,  sometimes  occurring  in  par- 
tial paralysis,  causes  increase  in  size  of  the 
affected  muscles,  showing  conclusively  which 
form  of  morbid  excitation  demanded  the  larger 
amount  of  support. 

Evidences  from  the  Effects  of  Drugs. — The 
class  of  drugs  included  under  the  head  narcot- 
ics, or  quiet  and  sleep  producing  remedies, 
have  the  ultimate  effect  of  increasing,  relative- 
ly, at  least,  the  functions  of  the  cerebro- spinal 
centers.  It  is  not  necessary  to  theorize  on  this 
point.  Appeals  to  facts  soon  convince  us  that 
the  habitual  opium  and  morphine  user  sleeps 
far  less  than  if  he  never  used  the  drug ; that  he 
is  wild  with  sensorial  and  emotional  excite- 
ment, and  that  his  muscles  become  shriveled 
to  the  last  degree.  These  are  conclusive  evi- 
dences that  the  drug  has  diverted  nutrition 
from  the  muscles  to  the  nerve-centers,  which 
are  made  by  the  drug  to  evolve  an  excessive 


CHECK  UPON  NERVE  ACTION. 


179 


amount  of  uncontrollable  energy,  So,  too,  the 
bromides  produce  a staggering  gait,  betoken- 
ing weakness  of  nerve ; and  chloral  has  pro- 
duced many  cases  of  insanity.  The  sedative,  in 
the  long  run,  diverts  nutrition  to  cerebro- spinal 
centers  by  the  local  irritation  it  superinduces. 

Emdences  afforded  by  the  Therapeutics  of 
Motion,  or  Transmitted  Energy. — Whenever 
passive  motion  is  transmitted  to  a muscular 
part,  the  pain  which  may  previously  have  per- 
vaded the  region,  ceases.  If  desirable,  com- 
plete local  anaesthesia  is  procurable  in  this 
way.  It  would  seem  as  though  surgical  opera- 
tions were  possible  under  the  local  influence 
of  motion.  The  readiest  explanation  of  this 
fact  is,  that  the  nutritive  excitation  of  the  mus- 
cles temporarily  reduces  that  of  the  nerve  to  a 
minimum.  The  muscular  mass  being  im- 
mensely greater  than  the  nervous  mass,  this 
effect  would  necessarily  result. 

It  is  the  constant  experience  of  patients  re- 
ceiving passive  motion,  as  transmitted  energy 
or  otherwise,  that  sleep  is  produced ; in  fact, 
sleep  becomes,  after  a little,  quite  irresistible 
with  some  patients.  This  fact  is  probably  due 
to  the  same  cause. 


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